Godmother
Godmother is a sculpture kept alive through gentle acts of care. Created during my residency at Artesumapaz in the Andes Mountains of Colombia, the work emerged from a place of quiet isolation, where the nearest village lies two hours away by foot. In this remoteness, artists are encouraged to work with what’s at hand. Rebar — strong, ridged steel used to reinforce buildings, was abundant from nearby construction, and became the armature of this piece.
Godmother takes the form of a spiritual figure. Part shrine, part companion and who asks to be tended to. Her water-filled balloons and fresh flowers must be replaced often, a ritual of softness that brings her to life. I’m drawn to this mutuality: the way we care for objects, and the way they hold space for us in return. Like the act of repair, this exchange becomes a quiet conversation of tenderness, purpose, and belonging.
Rooted in the wisdom of folklore, Godmother draws from the archetype of the wise womam, figures once central in communities, now often forgotten. She is not here to serve tradition, but to hold space for guidance, transformation, and the kind of feminine strength that moves gently, yet deeply. A reminder that wisdom does not shout, but sits beside us, steady and present.