Description
We are to a large extent our sense memories. Particularly in the wake of the pandemic, we recognize how isolation, repetition, and unchanging environments affect our identities. Isolation has hurried along dementia in members of my family, and I have heard and read similar for other families. During the pandemic, my father suffered an injury that led to his death, and so many of us lost family and friends to Covid-19. The death of loved ones inevitably leads us to explore our memories. Death has been part of my life from an early age. My baby brother died when I was nearly 4, yet, I have no memories of him. Some people say this is normal, others say it is a natural response to trauma. I have lived with this, questioned it, made art about it, and yet, it still remains an ongoing part of who I am. Memories can, of course, also be beautiful, surprising, sustaining in difficult times, and can bring us great joy. I am fascinated with how the senses can trigger memories when we least expect it. Often these can arrive through our senses with a flavor, aroma, written or spoken words, or a physical sensation.
Julia Jai Miller is an Arizona born artist working in photography, mixed media, and artist books. She earned her BFA from the University of Arizona. Her works have been exhibited nationally and internationally, and are held in public and private collections including Special Collections at the University of Arizona Libraries and University of Washington Libraries. Her book, When, was selected by Julie Chen for inclusion in the second volume of 500 Handmade Books (Lark Crafts, 2013). Julia shares her love of book arts by teaching with The Drawing Studio, Pima County Public Libraries, Patreon and other venues.
