Dalawang Daloy ng Paghilom
SOLO EXHIBITION BY
Tekla Tamoria
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“Dalawang Daloy ng Paghilom”
“Two Flows of Healing”
“Two Flows of Healing” embodies the dichotomy of life and death, much like our journey through the undulating waves of existence.
The concept of “pag hilom” guides our path, underlining the vital understanding of the perpetual connection between wounds and pain for the process of healing. To be rooted, we must embrace both death and the emergence of new life within it.
Tamoria’s pair of tapestry artworks feature skeleton shapes that serve as symbols of death, an ongoing transformation that molds us into novel forms of being—a metamorphosis akin to a cocoon birthing a renewed existence.
The other tapestry resonates universally—a representation of repair: Happy Home packaging, a needle book. “Alter Bibo” is inserted as one of Tamoria’s characters in the images of the packaging, creating a landscape that serves as a visual embodiment of her body as a needle—one of a happy child and the other of a curious child, mending and constructing. This is while also deriving solace from the creation of a depiction of her room—a tapestry that harmoniously connects us all.
Another tapestry illustrates a baby within a womb. As she always tell her story of being in a breech presentation—a childbirth scenario where the baby’s buttocks or feet lead the way through the birth canal, instead of the head. Rooted in our cultural beliefs, individuals with such experiences, differing from standard labor, possess an innate ability to touch and alleviate others’ pain.
In Tamoria’s work, a child in a womb serves as a representation of being in the gentle cocoon of warmth that we all experience in our mothers’ wombs, where a universe of whispers and a silent lullaby reside. As time slows down in this sacred place, there is a stillness of care, floating in the rhythm of water.
Art takes on a selfless role, ushering people into a realm of inclusion—a space for learning and participation that welcomes individual perspectives. This process involves anchoring oneself, giving rise to artistic creations that forge emotional connections among us. Over time, this metamorphoses into a visual practice that intertwines messages of warmth, fostering a collective sense of belonging and empathy.
Tekla Tamoria’s artistic expression reflects the embodiment of collective care in the actions of women. It narrates a tale of collective care’s essence, emerging from the quiet yet communal labor of women within her local community. The link to mental well-being in this environment surfaces through her art, transforming into profound meditation. The paradox of “working but not working” arises from repetitive motions, evoking a stillness within. Her tapestries evolve into 2-dimensional canvases, merging the confines of inner and outer boundaries.
The act of repairing, whether in weaving or healing, serves as a powerful metaphor. Threads are skillfully mended to restore a sense of belonging, offering solace throughout the process. Her art symbolizes the agency of women to craft their own narratives, with tapestries reflecting the potency of creating something tangible that stands as evidence of their existence. Each piece represents a moment of stillness, an “I am here,” still in a process of evolving and accepting the journey of existing. It signifies an arrival amidst uncertainty and sanity, leaving an indelible impression. – Maria, Maria
