Gwen Bigham - Homecoming

In the installation "Homecoming," I use a house as a metaphor for the self, illustrating home as both a shelter and a potential prison. Our perceptions of home evolve, culminating in a metaphorical homecoming when we confront death.

The inspiration for this work stemmed from my neighbor's house, which burned down due to a distressed child. Watching the fire with my son and later observing the remnants from my kitchen window transformed my perception of home. Cherished belongings became scattered debris.

After a period of mourning, I asked my neighbor if I could collect the charred wood from her home. Unlike the charring in the Japanese art of Yakisugi, this wood had been exposed to extreme heat, resulting in fragile remnants.

Through this project, I aim to explore contrasts between hard and soft materials and to highlight their fragility. The charred wood represents the transformative nature of our experiences of home and self. I incorporated "hard threads" from Springs Industries, connecting to my family's textile roots in South Carolina. As I hung the pieces, I realized they formed a conversation on my studio wall, leading to the installation's growth.