The fragility of memory and its hold on a sense of self and purpose is a recurring theme in artist Jennifer Lommers’ recent works, and specifically in her installation Of the Mind… The installation's centerpiece, “Threadbare”, calls to a personal unraveling and mending in the vintage threads stitched and holding each piece together. It refers to a disintegration of memory and the baring of one's own story. At the same time, the piece creates a physical barrier and becomes an emotional guardian to the temporary space within - a Room with a Garden View…

Based on a vintage English Paper Piecing pattern, “Grandmother’s Garden Quilt” by Hearthside Crafts, 1977, this “quilt” is inspired by Lommers’ memories of her mother hand-stitching a quilt made from this pattern. Lommers worked to translate her experiences of exposing, collecting, and examining her stories and relationships into a community collaboration where everyone’s story is welcome. Created from individual materials and memories stitched together and formed into a kaleidoscope of color, forming this garden wall - this new, reimagined version of Grandmother’s Garden Quilt both separates the viewer from and invites a look inward at the truths and falsehoods held within the room beyond.

In this installation, Lommers shares her experiences exploring the relationship between mind, self, and memory while revealing her insecurities, ambitions, realities, and dreams. In doing so, she hopes this space allows others to explore their experiences and embrace the complexity and vulnerability we each hold and the resilience and strength found with each other and within each stitch of thread.