Captured Moments 2024
These stitched paper portraits shed light on the WWII internment of the Reverend Libero Sauro, my Italian Canadian grandfather. Like thousands of Italian Canadians, he was believed to be a fascist sympathizer by the government of Canada and was taken from his family and held at Camp Petawawa, Ontario for four months. Unlike others, his stay was short due to the numerous letters my grandmother wrote advocating for his release. Ironically, five of his nine children were serving in the Canadian Armed Forces. It is a time in our Canadian history that is largely forgotten but could easily happen again to another targeted immigrant community.
To build this series, I transcribed the letters my grandmother wrote on paper made by my aunt. (she gave me her stash of handmade paper shortly before she died). After transcribing the letters, I tore/cut them and stitched them together to create portraits of my grandparents, my five uncles and the red target that was stitched to the back of each internee’s uniform. When light is cast upon these delicate, monochromatic tapesties that hang approximately 8-12” from the wall, a detailed shadow appears like a ghost from the past. This process of making, allows me to go back to that time, empathize with my family, forgive, and perhaps let go of any lingering trauma. You are welcome to read the letters I transcribed through this link: https://tinyurl.com/ClementinaSauro.
Recently, I have been working with a curator, Samantha Lance who has inspired me to show this series as a multi-media experience that includes, music, dance, video and hands-on community engagement. Sign up for my newsletter for updates on when and where this exhibition will take place.
To build this series, I transcribed the letters my grandmother wrote on paper made by my aunt. (she gave me her stash of handmade paper shortly before she died). After transcribing the letters, I tore/cut them and stitched them together to create portraits of my grandparents, my five uncles and the red target that was stitched to the back of each internee’s uniform. When light is cast upon these delicate, monochromatic tapesties that hang approximately 8-12” from the wall, a detailed shadow appears like a ghost from the past. This process of making, allows me to go back to that time, empathize with my family, forgive, and perhaps let go of any lingering trauma. You are welcome to read the letters I transcribed through this link: https://tinyurl.com/ClementinaSauro.
Recently, I have been working with a curator, Samantha Lance who has inspired me to show this series as a multi-media experience that includes, music, dance, video and hands-on community engagement. Sign up for my newsletter for updates on when and where this exhibition will take place.
