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The Sounds of My Mother Tongue - Leaves.jpg
The Sounds of My Mother Tongue - Leaves 1.jpg
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The Sounds of My Mother Tongue - Leaves D2.jpg
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The Sounds of My Mother Tongue - Leaves

£6,000.00

Cotton, vintage silk kimono swatches.

78 x 144 x 1cm x 3

2025

The Japanese language is notable for its extensive use of onomatopoeia, with distinct words capturing subtle variations in sounds, actions, and feelings.

My daily life is now conducted primarily in English, a language that has become naturally comfortable to me. However, I still experience occasional frustration when trying to express the nuanced details of small, fleeting moments. Through this project, I am revisiting my Japaneseness - aspects of my cultural identity that I sometimes overlook - and meditating on these linguistic treasures.

In this work, I am exploring the sounds of falling leaves from autumn trees - hala hala. This will be paired with a companion piece expressing the sounds of falling petals from spring cherry blossom trees - hila hila. While the action of paper-thin objects falling remains the same, all other aspects surrounding each subject differentiate their respective onomatopoeia, conveying subtle differences in meaning and emotion.

Hala hala carries a deeper melancholy - the sound of decay and withering as nature prepares for winter's dormancy. In contrast, hila hila captures the gentle, hopeful flutter of new life.

This particular work will be exhibited as an installation piece in my solo show this October at Park Royal Gallery, featuring overlay video projection to create an immersive experience that allows audiences to feel the world as Japanese speakers do.

Furthermore, this project - encompassing both falling autumn leaves and spring cherry blossoms - will evolve into a collaborative performance with a dancer next year, translating these sonic expressions into movement.

Cotton, vintage silk kimono swatches.

78 x 144 x 1cm x 3

2025

The Japanese language is notable for its extensive use of onomatopoeia, with distinct words capturing subtle variations in sounds, actions, and feelings.

My daily life is now conducted primarily in English, a language that has become naturally comfortable to me. However, I still experience occasional frustration when trying to express the nuanced details of small, fleeting moments. Through this project, I am revisiting my Japaneseness - aspects of my cultural identity that I sometimes overlook - and meditating on these linguistic treasures.

In this work, I am exploring the sounds of falling leaves from autumn trees - hala hala. This will be paired with a companion piece expressing the sounds of falling petals from spring cherry blossom trees - hila hila. While the action of paper-thin objects falling remains the same, all other aspects surrounding each subject differentiate their respective onomatopoeia, conveying subtle differences in meaning and emotion.

Hala hala carries a deeper melancholy - the sound of decay and withering as nature prepares for winter's dormancy. In contrast, hila hila captures the gentle, hopeful flutter of new life.

This particular work will be exhibited as an installation piece in my solo show this October at Park Royal Gallery, featuring overlay video projection to create an immersive experience that allows audiences to feel the world as Japanese speakers do.

Furthermore, this project - encompassing both falling autumn leaves and spring cherry blossoms - will evolve into a collaborative performance with a dancer next year, translating these sonic expressions into movement.