Kameo Chambers, Tree of Life, 2024, Sugar (detailed view)
Kameo Chambers, Tree of Life, 2024, Sugar (detailed view)
Kameo Chambers, Tree of Life, 2024, Sugar (detailed view)
Kameo Chambers, Tree of Life, 2024, Sugar (detailed view)
Tree of Life
2024
Sugar Installation, Performance
7 ft x 8.5 ft
Tree of Life is an installation exploring the interconnectedness of lineage in ancestral and collective memory through the material and metaphor of sugar. Structured in the chemical formulas of sugar, DNA, and melanin, the work functions as a sigil, symbolizing the shared essence of humanity and my relationship to my maternal ancestry, particularly my great-grandmother’s life on a sugar plantation. Sugar’s process of refinement mirrors the complexities of human transformation and globalization, serving as a universal product present in all homes yet tied to deeply personal and cultural histories.
By invoking symbols as conduits for collective emotions and values, the piece fosters a space for reflection and dialogue, emphasizing belonging and shared purpose. Grounded in Émile Durkheim’s concept of collective effervescence, this work channels the power of communal rituals to affirm identity, heritage, and the interconnectedness of human experience.