Objects to Remember You By: An Index of Sentiment
The Museum of Sentimental Taxonomy, Vitrine #12, Archival Pigment Print, 91x43", 2014 - 2025 (Arranged for What We Hold On To at Black Cube Nomadic Museum in Denver, CO
Objects to Remember You By: An Index of Sentiment examines the objects we carry through our lives and the memories and meanings we attach to them, qualities that surpass their initial usefulness. Something held by a loved one allows us to feel close to that person, even without their presence. While these objects can offer a sense of safety or closeness, they can also be heavy and difficult. When creating a place to live, we commonly introduce these objects to make our spaces our own and to remind us of what matters from our past. For this project, I ask participants to bring in object [s] of sentimental value to my studio or a designated place be photographed and added to a growing archive of images. This project has taken place throughout the San Francisco Bay Area, as well as upstate New York, Grinnell, Iowa, and Pittsburgh, PA. Please visit The Museum of Sentimental Taxonomy to learn about pop-ups to get your objects photographed or contact me if you would like to participate, or host the project at your space.
Exhibition display of various small collectible items arranged on black shelves against a white wall.
Art gallery room with black display boards showcasing small objects and artifacts on white walls, a glass case on a white table, and a closed door with window panels.
An art gallery with white walls displaying various objects and artworks on black backgrounds, including toys, jewelry, and collectibles, with display tables in the center.
Collection of assorted personal items including a newspaper, a Malcolm X pamphlet, a passport, jewelry, a photograph, a toy Captain America figure, a small container of painted rocks, a vintage photograph frame, a collection of photographs in a white paper bag, and small objects like a knife, a bracelet, a rock, and decorative items on a black background.
Collection of various personal items on a black background, including photographs, jewelry, a watch, a key, a small skeleton, a crown, a shell, currency, documents, a phone, a cassette tape, toys, stones, and miscellaneous small objects.
A collection of various objects arranged on a black background, including a decorated ceramic turkey plate, a pocket watch, a moon replica, colorful rocks, jewelry, a small notebook with a handwritten message, and various small artifacts.
Collection of miscellaneous objects on a black background, including a black mouse head hat with the name 'Rachel' embroidered in gold, a white plush teddy bear, a vintage black and white photograph, a credit card holder with money, a small Puerto Rican flag pin, various jewelry pieces, a colorful embroidered vest, a decorative bowl, a small doll, a bird's nest, a shell, and other assorted small items.
Collection of vintage and miscellaneous items including a shell, termite, mirror with a photo of a girl in a blue dress, a vintage comic book, a blue checkered shirt, a rock, a small Santa ornament, a green stuffed toy with buttons, a pair of worn shoes, a green pill box, a tissue, a patch with "Engine 5.14th Express," a hamster, and various small objects like buttons, pins, and a note.
A collection of various personal items spread out on a black background, including photographs, clothing, a cassette tape, pills, a key, a pair of shorts, a black plastic bag with what appears to be drugs, and electronic devices.
Collection of miscellaneous objects including a white embroidered cloth, large second place medal, two figurines, a baseball, dollar bill, watch, pink digital watch, a plastic statue, a large saw, a folding knife, a bunch of small figurines, a stone, a paper notebook with handwriting, a green crystal, a small statue, a spoon, and various small objects.
Silver necklace with a heart-shaped pendant decorated with small gemstones on a black background.
A vintage Kodak Disc 3100 camera in black and gold with its detached lens cap and a pink flower-shaped accessory nearby, against a black background.
A Funko Pop figure of a woman with short gray hair, wearing a pink top, and holding a small black gun in each hand, standing next to a stack of lined notebooks with handwritten notes on a black background.
Pink bow tie and pair of eyeglasses with pink-tinted lenses on a black background.
A crumpled ultrasound photo wrapped with paper, displaying a black and white image of a fetus.
A necklace with a large gold-colored insect-shaped pendant featuring a light blue stone on a silver chain.
Old, worn-out brown leather wallet with a cracked and faded surface, against a black background.
Old, worn-out movie ticket stub for Rialto Cinema with faded yellow and white text on a black background.
A set of keys attached to a keyring with a metal tag that reads 'DAMN I'M GOOD' on a black background.
A metallic ring with the word 'MAGEC' engraved on it, set against a black background.
Photograph of a woman with dark reddish hair and blue eyes, wearing a white shirt, against a light background, on a Polaroid-style photograph.
A purple beaded necklace with turquoise and pearl accents, featuring a pink tassel, laid out against a black background.
Photograph of a person sitting with a tiger plush toy, viewed through a wet glass surface.
A safety pin with tangled gold jewelry chains attached to its head against a black background.
White sculpture of a human heart on a black background.
A traditional Chinese or Japanese paper talisman or prayer strip with calligraphy and a dragon illustration at the top, placed against a black background. There are also two small strips of paper with English phrases: "You will discover the truth in time." and "Your talents will be recognized and rewarded."
A clear plastic zip-top bag filled with light brown powder against a black background.
A dark brown or black zip-up jacket with a collar, shown on a black background.
A silver signet ring with a large black rectangular face, photographed against a black background.
Simple silver hoop earring with two small silver beads on a black background.
Assorted jewelry and objects on a floral fabric surface, including rings, pins, necklaces, and a note with handwritten text.
Crafted birdhouse with colorful decorations and a handwritten note on green paper, against a black background.
Three silver rings with gemstones on a black background, each with a unique design and different gemstone.
Crumpled newspaper, plaid shirt, and a stuffed sock puppet on a black background.
Close-up of a retractable ballpoint pen with a clear plastic body and black accents, lying horizontally against a black background.
A small, white, egg-shaped object with yellow markings resembling a face, set against a black background.
Gold necklace with a heart-shaped pendant, silver bracelet, and a metallic container on a black background.
A worn-out, handmade rag doll with a stitched face, one eye, and a blue patch on its dress, set against a black background.
A pink and brown preserved pig specimen and a wooden box with traditional Japanese art depicting a man with a stick against a landscape background.
Line of vintage objects including a small lamp, a wooden stool, a cloth bag with text, a turtle figurine, small black sculptures, and a straw hat on a black background.
A medical laryngoscope with a red ribbon tied in a bow around its handle, set against a black background.
Two vintage stuffed animals: a bear with button eyes and a smaller dog with button eyes, against a black background.
A vintage Sailor Moon-themed metal lunchbox, shown open, featuring five illustrated characters from the Sailor Moon series on the front. The inside of the lid is plain and shows some rust, while the bottom part has a colorful illustration of the characters.
A black GFI 'expo' steel and aluminum electric steel guitar instrument with four tuning pegs on top, standing on four metal legs with a horizontal base on a black background.
Colorful inlay bracelet and gold and silver Rolex watch on black background.
A plush alligator stuffed toy with a smaller plush alligator on its back, set against a black background.
A stack of rolled, multicolored, worn-out quilting fabrics and quilts on a black background.
Three beaded necklaces with silver and white beads, one has a blue pendant and coins, placed on a black background.
Ancient cast iron stove with decorative patterns, accompanied by an old-fashioned skeleton key, set against a black background.
Black baseball cap with white embroidered text saying 'Ojai Valley CA' on the front, set against a black background.
A vintage brass bell with a wooden handle and a circular emblem that reads 'Centaur Leaders III' against a black background.
A necklace with a round pendant featuring a sun, clouds, and mountain design on a black background.
A two dollar bill on a black background, featuring a portrait of Thomas Jefferson and an engraving of the Declaration of Independence signing.
Three plush animal toys: a large beige dog, a medium beige dog, and a small white dog with pink collar, against a black background
Four small animal-shaped figurines and a plastic bag containing a small, white and pink object, all placed against a black background.
Silver floral sculpture with two rose-shaped lights and a separate ring with a pearl.
A plush giraffe-shaped blanket with floppy limbs and a soft, textured body, lying on a black background.
Pair of used black and white ice hockey skates with scuffed toe caps, laces, and soles, placed against a black background.
Silver necklace with turtle-shaped pendant on black cord
Gold ring with light blue rectangular face, silver necklace with charms and blue bead, and silver ring with twisted band and small charm, all on black background.
Open guest book with 1950s handwritten signatures and quotes on pages for October and September, against a black background.
A unicorn figurine with a red heart necklace on the left, a gold anchor pendant in the center, and a tangled gold chain bracelet on the right, all against a black background.
A blue Visa credit card with a black binder clip attached, holding crumpled dollar bills.
Silver necklace with a pendant shaped like the letter 'L' against a black background.
A keychain with two keys and a circular rubber key cover with a peace sign.
An acoustic guitar with a colorful strap set against a black background.
A multi-tool with orange handles and black grips on the plier tips, set against a black background.
A vintage aluminum stovetop espresso maker with a black handle and a black knob on top, set against a black background.
A vintage toy model of a Mobil oil tank truck in red and white, with the Mobil logo and the words 'Mobil oil' on the side, set against a black background.
Close-up of a metallic ring against a black background.
