cr NikkiFay-InMyGrandmothersHouseWeWereAlwaysSafeAndWarm Nikki Fay

The artwork presents a layered composition that evokes themes of confinement, memory, and perhaps, longing for security. A prominent chain-link fence dominates the foreground, its rigid geometry creating a visual barrier between the viewer and the scene beyond. The fence is rendered with meticulous detail, highlighting each individual link and casting shadows that suggest depth and solidity.
Behind this barrier, a cityscape rises in muted pinks and purples. These colors, while potentially suggestive of twilight or dawn, are also associated with sentimentality and nostalgia. The buildings themselves appear somewhat indistinct, their forms simplified into blocky shapes, which contributes to an overall sense of distance and detachment. They lack the sharp definition one might expect from a realistic urban depiction, instead appearing as hazy recollections.
Positioned on a low shelf in the foreground are several objects that add further complexity to the narrative. A kerosene lamp stands prominently on the right, its glass globe reflecting light and suggesting warmth or illumination – a potential symbol of hope or refuge. Next to it sits an apple, rendered with careful attention to its form and texture; this fruit often carries symbolic weight, representing knowledge, temptation, or abundance. A book lies flat on the shelf, partially obscured by the lamp and apple. The title is illegible, but its presence implies a connection to narrative, learning, or personal history.
The overall effect of these elements is one of poignant contrast. The protective barrier of the fence clashes with the implied vulnerability of the objects placed before it. The cityscape, while visually appealing in its color palette, remains inaccessible and distant. The artist’s choice of a limited color scheme – primarily pinks, purples, yellows, and grays – contributes to a melancholic atmosphere.
The work seems to explore the tension between perceived safety and actual isolation, hinting at a personal narrative rooted in memory and loss. The title, In My Grandmothers House We Were Always Safe And Warm, suggests that this scene is not merely an observation of a place but a recollection of a time when security felt absolute – a feeling now mediated by the physical and emotional distance represented by the fence.