becoming
In this immersive installation, Mattai meticulously hand-weaves thousands of vintage saris into monumental-sized tapestries, each spanning 30 to 40 feet. Crafted through a unique process combining weaving and embroidery techniques passed down from Mattai’s grandmothers, these tapestries aim to reunite South Asian communities that have been dispersed through colonization or other means. Notice the transition between two blended colors in each pod, where one hue seemingly flows into the next as you move from pod to pod. Abstracted topographies emerge within the tapestries, at times resembling blurred brushstrokes, while the sculptural forms appear to have risen from the earth below. These continental shapes echo the dynamic movements of tectonic plates and evoke memories of the glacial deposits Mattai observed during her upbringing in Nova Scotia. The mirrored surfaces reflect clouds, birds, and trees, uniting the sky and earth with the Park’s natural surroundings. With this installation the artist asks, “Why do monuments have to be static? Instead of celebrating those in power, why can’t they celebrate the process of transformation and adaptation inherent in the migrations of individuals and communities?”