  
Memories are powerful. A smell, a sound, or a flavor can send you spiraling down a rabbit hole of a moment you've long forgotten. I spent a lot of my life suppressing memories for my own self-preservation. But memories are stories, and stories are lineage, and I was cutting off its circulation.

  
In Hopi culture, women are the heads of families, the preservers, and the keepers of stories. Hopi people trace their family through their mothers, learn from them, and follow their lead. And so by suppressing these memories, my stories, I was not only depriving myself but also my daughters and granddaughters, now until time immemorial, of our culture and connection to each other.

  
This collection is a practice of unlocking memories and facing them head-on— Processing, grieving, and healing. Each painting unearthed a new memory; each poem helped me release it.

  

Down Road 264

  
  
Memories are powerful. A smell, a sound, or a flavor can send you spiraling down a rabbit hole of a moment you've long forgotten. I spent a lot of my life suppressing memories for my own self-preservation. But memories are stories, and stories are lineage, and I was cutting off its circulation.

  
In Hopi culture, women are the heads of families, the preservers, and the keepers of stories. Hopi people trace their family through their mothers, learn from them, and follow their lead. And so by suppressing these memories, my stories, I was not only depriving myself but also my daughters and granddaughters, now until time immemorial, of our culture and connection to each other.

  
This collection is a practice of unlocking memories and facing them head-on— Processing, grieving, and healing. Each painting unearthed a new memory; each poem helped me release it.

  

Down road 264

down road 264

Memories are powerful. A smell, a sound, or a flavor can send you spiraling down a rabbit hole of a moment you've long forgotten. I spent a lot of my life suppressing memories for my own self-preservation. But memories are stories, and stories are lineage, and I was cutting off its circulation.

  
In Hopi culture, women are the heads of families, the preservers, and the keepers of stories. Hopi people trace their family through their mothers, learn from them, and follow their lead. And so by suppressing these memories, my stories, I was not only depriving myself but also my daughters and granddaughters, now until time immemorial, of our culture and connection to each other.

  
This collection is a practice of unlocking memories and facing them head-on— Processing, grieving, and healing. Each painting unearthed a new memory; each poem helped me release it.
  
  

Ebbs and flows, peaks and valleys. Chasing down memories can leave you lost in the wilderness if you don't have your bearings. Topography is the arrangement of an area's natural and artificial physical features, and a topographical map of your mind in your back pocket can help keep you on track as you head down that distant memory lane.

  

Topography of memory

Topography of Memory

remain untamed 2/2

remain untamed 1/2

charred chilis and sweet tea 2/2

Charred chilis and sweet tea

This painting is part of my spring awakening series. These pieces depict life, death, and metamorphosis. Inspired by butterfly migrations. 

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Mikaela Shafer

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