Skip to main content

les mains de ma mère

was exhibited as part of the 2021 Shape Open, All Bound Together? by Shape Arts

“My mother’s hands have been transformed by Rheumatoid arthritis. My existence has been de-limited by the white gaze. In this short film, I interrogate my conflictual relationship to authority, the Black mother figure, and whiteness as a destitution of power.” Filmed and assembled from a place of gratitude, this film is punctuated by to be you, a poem (2019). The Covid-19 pandemic marked a physical rupture with hostile environments melissandre used to perform in. They spent time with their hands thinking about intergenerational trauma, grief, and healing. Their mother transitioned to another form 17 years ago and melissandre is now envisioning ways to critically celebrate her passage on this Earth.

118 n u Studio Future Ritual 060626 Crd Devika Bilimoria Low Res 1783509902 n:u (melissandre varin)

by n:u (melissandre varin) and Sym Stellium

digital video

12min 28sec

filmed and edited by Rachel Bunce

audio description & captioning by Seán Elder

Two people in motion, using Palestinian olive oil and soil - oscillating between care and violence amidst a rapidly transforming urban landscape.

Commissioned by: Byuka aka Fortune Tailed Beast & Giulia Casalini for Burned House Horizons

Image credit: Eda Sancakdar Onikinci, embrace,…

embrace

de la boue et des racines

FREE(HOLD)

Join Axis

We support artists

Funding, visibility, connection and practical help. 

Membership includes £15 million of Public Liability Insurance!

Axis is an independent charity, funded by our members. 
Become a Member

Axis turns 35 this year

In 2026, we’ll put more than £70,000 directly into artists’ hands.

We support artists with funding, visibility, connection and practical help. 

Membership includes £15 million of Public Liability Insurance!

Axis is an independent charity, funded by our members. 
Learn more