This umbrella design was inspired by the notion that grief can be alchemised into hope… that our loved ones are not truly gone if they live on in our memories.
It was 1st Nov 2022, the day before installing my very first solo exhibition, “Longing & Belonging” (at Montsalvat).
It had just hailed & stormed like hell, and I was exhausted from the many all-nighters I had to pull off in order to get work ready for this Opening.
The LAST thing I felt like doing, was walking my dog, Leela. But it had to be done. I’ve not been fair to her as I had neglected this very basic need of her while burying myself in preparing for what felt like the Opening of my Life.
But we went, straight after the storm gave us that space. And as I walked, searching within & outside of myself for… some sort of… sign… from my late mum… I looked up and saw her looking at me from the sky.
And it wasn’t just her. It was my grandmother too. Legions of women before me who could never fully stand in their light to be SEEN, HEARD & be completely emancipated.
Making art, for me, is letting them all through, releasing them all into that unrestrained circle of dancing souls who once were weighed down by
Stereotypes,
Expectations,
Knowing Your Place.
I stood on that hill, wondering if ANYONE ELSE was seeing this, and if they were, surely they’d take a photo… at which point I realised that someone was ME! So I took out my phone to document this.
Satisfied with the moment, I walked on, but then something pulled me back, and I reversed-walked back to that same spot on that hill and looked again. The EYE had closed. I instinctively took another photo. It was exactly 2 minutes later.
I knew they were with me and we had a moment. And I tried my best to convey the poignant shift of that experience through the final artpiece (part of which has now also found its way onto one of my umbrellas). I hope I did it justice. I hope through my art, I can prolong that experience of BEING SEEN.
Specifications:
- Shape: Octagonal (8 panels)
- Length: M: 52cm [21″]; L: 102cm [40″]
- Open Canopy size:
- (M: 135x135cm [54″x54″] – easily fits into a standard tote/handbag, comfortably can shelter up to 2 people standing/walking in half-circle shape,
- (L: 150x150cm [60″x60″] – wow factor, lightweight, comfortably can shelter up to 3 people standing/walking in half-circle shape, perfect for special occasions/golf, great walking stick/self-defence apparatus if unsavoury characters approach
- Easy & fast opening action in case of rainmergency (just press button on handle)
- Material: Polyester
PRE-ORDERING:
🎁Next pre-order deadline: Fri, 9th Oct 2026⏰
TIMELINES (calculated from pre/order deadline, unless in current, immediate stock)
Australia: Because all umbrellas are made to order, please allow up to 14 days (after pre-order deadline) for your order to be shipped. All umbrellas are delivered by Australia Post (however, if urgent, please contact us directly to find out if your choice is currently in stock).
International: Because all umbrellas are made to order, please allow up to 3-4 weeks (after pre-order deadline) for your order to be shipped (perhaps sooner – subject to current airfreight circumstances). (However, if urgent, please contact us directly to find out if your choice is currently in stock).
POSTAGE/DELIVERY options:
- FREE pick-up at Montsalvat, Eltham (free) – use promo-code pickup at checkout!
- SHIPPING:
- Australia: $15
- International: $50
