| Project title: | Echoes of Generations |
| Location: | NeMe Arts Centre, Limassol, Cyprus |
| Date(s): | July 2024 |
Artist Statement
My name is Georgia Houry I was born in Athens in February 1975 to a Cypriot Lebanese father and a French Hong-Kongese mother. A mother of three girls I am currently based in Limassol, Cyprus. have been deeply influenced by my multicultural background, my life has been a journey of navigating between diverse cultures, languages, and traditions. This constant interplay has significantly shaped my identity and serves as a well of inspiration for my artistic endeavours. My artistic practice predominantly revolves around figurative and representational art, where I work with a variety of mediums such as graphite, charcoal, watercolours and oils. I am driven by an intense fascination with people and their complexity. Through my work, I aim to capture the essence of personal identity and inner narratives. Drawing from my personal experiences of identity struggle, grief, and motherhood, my art delves into themes that resonate on a deeply personal level. My art is a reflects the profound impact of multiculturalism, personal joys, and profound challenges of my life. It serves as a testament to the enduring journey of self-discovery and the complexities of human experience.
https://www.instagram.com/houryartist
Contextual Statement
Project Description
“Echoes of Generations” is a deeply personal, multidisciplinary art project that delves into the complexities of identity, cultural heritage, and womanhood through confessional writing and visual art. The project began with a foundational text based on my own experiences and those of my mother and grandmothers. This text set the stage for the entire body of work, exploring themes of personal history, intergenerational trauma, and the persistent bonds of womanhood. It provided a narrative framework that informed both the visual and interactive components of the project.
Presenting “Echoes of Generations” to audiences in the UK and Cyprus proved both challenging and rewarding. Despite the distinct cultural contexts of Leamington Spa and Cyprus, audience reactions were strikingly similar, underscoring the universal appeal and relevance of the themes explored. The initial group exhibition at the LSA art room in Leamington Spa was particularly instrumental in shaping the project, offering critical insights that refined the presentation for the subsequent solo exhibition at the NeMe arts centre in Limassol ,Cyprus.
Methodology and Methods
The visual and textual elements of the project are intertwined through the symbolic use of the dowry sheet. This sheet, a traditional item passed down through generations, serves as both a literal and metaphorical link to the past. The video component, in which my text is narrated in English with echoes of Greek, French, Cantonese and Arabic in the background, reflects the layered nature of my cultural identity and the complexities of self-expression.
An interactive element invites viewers to engage with the work by writing their reflections on another sheet, which contributes to a communal tapestry of shared experiences.
Sustainability was a key consideration throughout the project. The use of a recycled bed sheet as the central element underscores a commitment to environmentally conscious art-making. This choice not only honours the past but also minimizes the project’s ecological impact. The video format, serving as a digital medium for the narrative, further aligns with sustainable practices by reducing the need for physical resources.
Context
“Echoes of Generations” is deeply embedded in feminism and confessional art, drawing from a blend of artistic, theoretical, and socio-cultural influences. Central to its foundation is Hélène Cixous’s seminal work, “The Laugh of the Medusa,” which champions the empowerment of women through the reclaiming of their voices and identities via writing. This principle of écriture féminine serves as the critical framework for the project, steering its examination of identity, heritage, and the female experience.
Gloria E. Anzaldúa’s Autohistoria-teoría and Lauren Fournier’s work on auto theory further inform the project’s approach. Anzaldúa’s method of intertwining personal narrative with cultural critique allows for a nuanced examination of identity, while Fournier’s exploration of the intersection of theory and autobiography in art provides a framework for understanding the personal as political.
Artistically, the project is influenced by the confessional practices of Virginia Woolf, Tracey Emin, and Sophie Calle. Woolf’s exploration of inner life and her stream-of-consciousness narrative style have shaped my approach to personal narrative and introspection. Emin’s raw, unfiltered confessional art, which blurs the lines between the personal and the public, resonates with my use of personal narratives to explore universal themes of womanhood and cultural heritage. Sophie Calle’s investigative approach to personal history and identity, often involving meticulous documentation and the relationship between text and image, parallels my use of journal writing and visual art to construct a layered narrative. Inspired by these ideas and the lived experiences of my mother and grandmothers—women displaced by war and social upheaval—this project examines how writing and art defy patriarchal oppression and articulate the inexpressible aspects of women’s experiences.
Echoes of Generations dowry sheet, Tombow pens and markers on cotton bedsheet 150 x 260 cm, 2024
The central dowry sheet, with portrait sketches of my female lineage, functions as a profound metaphorical link to the past, weaving together personal and collective narratives. This traditional dowry, passed down through generations of women in my family, acts as both a canvas and a symbol of the enduring nature of feminine identity. It unites the visual and textual components of the project, encapsulating the narratives and lived experiences of the women who preceded me. Inspired by the linens and dowries historically handed down among the women in my family, this sheet transforms from a simple fabric into a significant carrier of both history and personal narrative. It stands as a testament to the profound connection between the tangible and intangible aspects of heritage, highlighting how objects imbued with personal and historical significance can resonate deeply across generations.
Text
To foster a deeper connection with the project’s themes, printed booklets of my text were distributed during both exhibitions, allowing visitors to engage more intimately with the narratives explored. These texts, which delve into cultural heritage, intergenerational trauma, and the complex identities of women, served as a starting point for further reflection and personal connection. Additionally, a booklet serves as a tangible takeaway from the exhibition, extending the impact of the work beyond the gallery space. It becomes a personal memento that viewers can take home, share with others, or return to whenever they wish, thereby prolonging their engagement with the themes and enhancing their understanding and appreciation of the project.
The full text is available on my website https://www.georgiahoury.com/writing
Video
The project also included a video installation. The video featured a scrolling display of the text, synchronised with my voice narrating the words. This visual simplicity was enriched by a layered auditory experience, where the echoed voices of my aunt, daughter, and myself—speaking in Greek, French, Cantonese, and Arabic in the background created a soundscape that reflected the linguistic and cultural diversity of my upbringing. These languages, each carrying their own history and emotional resonance, woven together to form a collective narrative that revealed both the personal and universal aspects of the project.
Image of Echoes of Generations video 2024 17m 4s
Watch Echos of Generations on YouTube
Drawings
Drawings on paper inspired by the diverse themes explored in the foundational text. Each artwork offered a visual interpretation of different aspects of the narratives integral to the project, enhancing the interplay between the text and visual elements. These additions brought a fresh visual dimension to the narrative, deepening the viewer’s comprehension of the project’s themes. These works will also be featured in an upcoming book that aims to encapsulate the entire scope of the project.
Audience Encounter at the LSA Art Room in Leamington Spa
Audience Encounter at the NeMe Arts Centre in Limassol, Cyprus
Viewer Participation at the NeMe Arts Centre in Limassol, Cyprus
