Grandma Smells

Inspired by the image of withered flowers on forgotten graves, Grandma Smells was designed as a permanent sensory tribute to a generation soon to be lost from us. At the same time, it invited people to reawaken their own personal memories.

Grandma Smells was composed of ceramic scented pomanders, many of them sourced from Deptford market and the surrounding charity shops.

The scent of pomanders evokes all sorts of memories: of beloved relatives who are no longer with us, or perhaps of childhood itself, when we first encountered the distinctive floral scents that our great aunts and grandmothers were so fond of.

The installation was located in the gardens of the Albany in Deptford and then at the APT Studios (Extra Space).

In response to Deptford X's theme of Intervention, I submitted an installation called Grandma Smells. This formed part of a collaborative piece of work with Sam Jones entitled Dear Nan which was shown as part of the Festival's invited projects.

The piece was interactive and as well as the pomanders, people were invited to indulge themselves in experiencing the evocative smells and aromas of the past...

bath cubes treacle toffees pomanders caraway seeds camp coffee smelling salts egg sandwiches perm lotion pan drops liquorice johnsons baby powder vanilla essence horse radish sauce extinguished candles lavender bags boiled beetroot pledge polish aniseed balls tea roses gingerbread moth balls palmolive soap mint humbugs lily of the valley toasted teacakes quickies fairy snow lemon and sultana buns oxtail soup parma violets woodbine cigarettes crab apple jelly imperial leather talc oxo cubes grated nutmeg on rice pudding lemon sherbets