The artwork titled “May Dodge, My Nan” is a creation by Tracey Emin, completed in 1993. It falls under the Conceptual Art movement and belongs to the genre of installation. This work is a deeply personal exploration, encapsulating the artist’s relationship with her grandmother, May Dodge.
The artwork consists of a variety of framed elements arranged on a pale pink wall. The top left frame contains a circular piece that appears to be made from fabric with an attached photograph. Adjacent, the top right frame features a photograph of an elderly woman and a younger woman in an intimate, familial setting. The bottom left frame holds a black and white photograph depicting two figures, likely reflecting a moment from the past. The middle frame, an open-sided box, holds what appears to be a delicate, beaded or crocheted small figure. The bottom right frame includes handwritten text, providing a narrative or personal note, further anchoring the viewer’s understanding of the artwork’s sentimental value.
The arrangement and combination of these elements invite viewers to contemplate the significance of personal history and memory within the broader context of conceptual art, whereby the content and meaning behind the artwork is given as much importance, if not more, than traditional aesthetics.
