Sally Harrison Artist

This began with a Hakata doll — the boy I wrote about in my last blog.

Since finding him again, the work has expanded.

In my mind, I started to see indistinct visions of artwork. I began to see an interesting way to use my life experiences and memories to inform a long-term detailed project. I already had some souvenirs, dolls and art materials, papers and stickers that were from or used Japanese imagery. I sought to expand this collection.

This plays very much into my ADHD tendencies of collecting. I recognised this early on, so I had to set myself some parameters for buying that meant the items had value and potential for my project. I wanted this to ensure that I didn’t just buy lots of stuff and end up spending a fortune.

I started seeking out Japanese collectables, mostly on eBay. Looking for worn and dusty dolls, tourist souvenirs, interesting papers and photographs. Some things were directly linked to my memories, like navigation charts from some of the places we sailed to and from, some simply peeked my curiosity but the over riding factor was that they were all cheap. It makes it feel like the items are destined to come to me. I’d put in low bids and if I was outbid I accepted that this meant the object wasn’t for me. I’ve found some absolute bargains, like my Hakata doll and a beautiful large Bijin doll in a display case.

There was a similar in my dad’s Chief Engineer cabin on the Bibi.

One of my favourite finds is a brown filing box that is filled with a collection of souvenirs from a trip to Japan. I am excited to investigate and explore this snap shot of a moment in time in more details.

I’ve been seeking out and buying objects for over a year now and it’s building into a comprehensive Working Collection. There are souvenirs, fabrics, papers, collectables, household items — some decorative, some practical — alongside books and photographs from two voyages that included Japan.

The vision for the body of work ahead remains indistinct — like memory itself — so I continue to gather materials that help me move toward it. I’m spending time and working with ChatGPT to investigate each item, looking at its history and reflecting on what it means to me. I consider how they are informing the work or waiting to enter it. Some will remain as a reference, and some of the materials and objects will become part of the work itself. This is not an archive, it has become my navigation system for my evolving body of work.

For now, I am taking my time to set the scene.