Portsmouth Cathedral Exhibition

Portsmouth Cathedral Installation 'Sacred Eight'

The installation responds to eight of the most personally significant archives investigated. Kubisa has made eight tombs of her own body size that will be displayed within this sacred site, emphasising the profound impact that the memories and associations have had on her own consciousness; remaining with her until her own death. Microscopic structures with inspiration from the archives are recreated in each tomb. The selected archives for each re-creation follow the themes in life of deep love, travel, remembrance, hidden love, death and luck. These large-scale tombs were inspired and link up to the Cathedral's architecture and symbolism, using lighting, Perspex and innovative materials on steel light box systems.

Tomb 1 - Travel

Archive No 00059 Chinese / English Dictionary 190

Used everyday for a 100 years this dictionary was still in use by the Chinese lady before it was her fathers and had traveled with him across China, Singapore, Hong Kong and to Portsmouth! This tomb is dedicated to travel, emigration and new experience .

Tomb 2 - Deep Love

Archive No 00067 Lady Hamilton's Dress Hem 1803

Seeing this embroided dress hem with the words 'Nelson' and its exquisite detail and dedication. Worn in honor of Nelson made me realize that Lady Hamilton had a deep uncontrollable love for Lord Nelson. This tomb is dedicated to this uncontrollable love that can follow us in live.

Tomb 3 - Luck

Archive No 00118 Lucky Black Cat 1939

The lucky black cat was tied onto the Pompey football clubs football club in 1939 on the way to the final at Wembley. They won! This tomb is dedicated to the believe and focus that something symbolic can bring.

Tomb 4 - Death

Archive No 00152 Pair of Shoes 1545

Shoes from the Mary Rose with detail of the shape of the mans feet was a stark remainder of the life these men had and the death that was sadly to befall them. This tomb is dedicated to those who died leaving us with a prominent reminder of their lives through this magnificent collection. The colours used follow the microscopic image in that there was a lot of dark clutter in the image with bits of strong fluorescence. Also inspired me to bring light into darkness.

Tomb 5 - Smell to remember

Archive No 00099 mitten 1950s

The lady who contributed this atefact had kept her fathers mitten after his passing to smell, as this triggered of her memory of him. This tomb is dedicated to this flash like recall we all experience of past significant events.

Tomb 6 - Love unexpressed

Archive No 00104 Birthday Card 1938

The ladies father was unable to express his love to her mother and herself. When she came across a Birthday card and read its message to her mother she realised that he had indeed a hidden love for her mum and herself. It is dedicated to all who are unable to express and the people it can affect around them.

Tomb 7 - Generations

Archive No 00101 Summer Holidays Photograph 1961

This tomb is dedicated to all the family photographs shared during this investigation. Allowing memories to be shared through generations. It is also dedicated to my own family.

Tomb 8 - Remember me

Archive No 00115 Diary 1940

The diary was full of detail, feelings and events. The man whose diary it was in the army. This tomb is dedicated to times when they are hard, when writing can become a powerful tool.