Fragments 2 of 2

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Artist: Pauline Kiernan

Title: Fragments 2 of 2

Attribution: Fragments, 2024, Pauline Kiernan

Year: 2024

Materials: free machine embroidery on vintage fabric

Dimensions: 80 x 55 cm

Image Statement: In the quiet stillness of a Sunday morning, the tender task of shaving my father's face became an act of profound love and care. His fragile skin, marked by the ravages of illness, served as a poignant reminder of the relentless passage of time. As I wrapped him in towels and prepared the warm water, the mundane task of shaving transcended into a sacred rite, each movement deliberate and filled with the weight of unspoken words and the impending farewell. Inspired by Jane Clarke's evocative imagery in "The Rod," this body of work captures the delicate balance of life and death, highlighting the simple yet profound gestures that define our humanity. As I lathered his face, the scent of the soap mingled with memories of better days, and I embraced the task with a mixture of reverence and sorrow. The fear of causing pain was eclipsed by the need to restore a sense of dignity and normalcy to my father's fading existence. Jane Clarke's poetry resonates deeply in this work, emphasizing the beauty found in moments o