Tessa's Memory Box


This is an ongoing project on memories, material objects, friendship and loneliness.
It is based on my encounter with an extraordinary woman Tessa Sowerby.
I met Tessa during my residency stay in Berwick-upon-Tweed, UK and we became friends. She was born just before the Second World War started. Tessa worked with dying people throughout her life. She was in contact with death, she new how to bring comfort to people. When the AIDS epidemic broke out in the 1980s, Tessa got a task from the state to organise help to those who were affected. She organised conferences bringing light on problems of the epidemic, to which she invited among others Lady Diana.

Nic Coupe, Yellow Label from Tessa's Memory Box series, 2017, Photograph, inkjet print on paper, 50 x 70 cm

Nic Coupe, Red Label from Tessa's Memory Box series, 2017, Photograph, inkjet print on paper, 50 x 70 cm

Elli Caldbeck, Green Label from Tessa's Memory Box series, 2017, Photograph, inkjet print on paper, 50 x 70 cm

'Helen. Green Label' from 'Tessa's Memory Box' series, 2017, Photography, Inject print, 70 x 50 cm