Mayu Hayafune
Materiality
The Last Ceremony
My Halmoni; grandmother is now deprived of her senses. She can no longer see, hear,eat, move, or remember. Her memories have been fragmented into mere fragments, and only afew names, such as those of her eldest son and daughter, remain within her grasp.I've chosen to frame the concept of my thesis as "The Last Ceremony." Through thiswork, I aim to create a means of preserving her memory, ensuring that our family never forgetsthe role she played as a mother, sister, and grandmother, as well as the life of a woman whoonce thrived. While I would have preferred to depict a more idealized, dream-like version ofhalmoni within my thesis, my primary objective is to portray her as she truly is, confined to awheelchair, with no embellishments.It is impossible for us to fully comprehend or share in the depth of her experiences.Nonetheless, I hold a deep conviction that this endeavor may serve as a bridge to anotherworld—a way to offer solace to her in what might be her final moments. I seek to remember thisjuncture as a "painful memory but painful freedom," encapsulating the poignant complexity ofher current existence.
Bio
Mayu Hayafune is a Japanese-Korean artist/designer based in New York City. She delves deep into the realms of textiles transforming fibers into exquisite works of art that evoke both warmth and wonder. Driven by a relentless pursuit of innovation, she fearlessly explores shapes, structures, and textures to redefine the boundaries of design to create garments that defy expectations and challenge perceptions. Whether through exaggerated proportions, unexpected juxtapositions, or avant-garde construction techniques, she delights in subverting the norm and inviting viewers to see the world through a new lens. She believes each piece tells a story, weaving together threads of tradition and innovation to create a tapestry of beauty and meaning.