Kochi 2008
"Kochi" is a deeply personal piece dedicated to my childhood dog and best friend, Kochi. I grew up with her, and she was by my side for so many of my formative years. When I went back home one summer while I was in school, I learned that she had passed away, and my mom hadn’t told me. The shock of her absence hit me hard. I felt an overwhelming need to bring her back home with me somehow, to hold onto her memory in a tangible way.
So, I made the decision to dig up her grave. I carefully gathered her bones and created molds of them. Once the molds were complete, I cremated her remains, mixing her ashes—and some of her fur I had saved—into glass castings. These six glass bones, now resting in a black velvet-lined chest, hold her essence and the deep bond we shared.
This piece is my way of preserving her, of ensuring that her presence in my life isn’t forgotten. The transparency of the glass reflects the fragility of life, but its permanence reminds me that love and memory endure. Kochi is more than just a tribute—it’s my way of processing loss, of finding comfort, and of carrying a piece of her with me, always.