Deborah Barndt

I chose Oct. 24 for the closing of the exhibit, since it was the 12th anniversary of the death of my mother. Since my first Wabi Sabi exhibit in 2013 was part of my process of mourning her passing, I wanted to honour her at this moment, completing the circle of Wabi Sabi 1 and Wabi Sabi 2. From my mother’s body to my body.

We adapted Mexico’s Dia de los Muertos or Day of the Dead, creating a collective ofrenda for those we have lost in the recent past. Two people honoured their dogs, and I also honoured an ancient Palestinian olive tree, as a way to bring a more global perspective to the ritual. 

Jon and Leonard, the gallery owners, also opened up their kitchen where we offered two soups and a pan de muerto that Leonard had baked. Over 20 joined us for a beautiful warm evening closing this three-week run of the exhibit.