Generational Echoes Karisna Bissett

by Karisna Bissett

Memories grip our minds like shadows, shaping the core of who we become. My earliest recollections of childhood are clouded by violence within familial relationships, where alcohol made its harsh, unwelcome entrance. It wasn’t just an introduction to alcohol—it was the beginning of a cycle of trauma, one that has profoundly shaped my practice as an artist.

Generational Echoes is rooted in exploring the intersections of memory, trauma, and the social consequences of alcohol misuse. My work delves into the generational trauma caused by addiction, particularly within close family and social bonds. Through sculpture and digital media, I unravel the destructive habits passed down through generations, transforming emotional and social dynamics within families and communities. My cross-media approach blends sculptural installations with digital storytelling, capturing the complexity of addiction’s legacy.

At the core of my practice is the examination of how space, time, and memory intersect with consumption and abuse. Found objects—glass bottles, bar stools, baby bibs, and other everyday items linked to drinking customs—become vital components in my work. These objects, steeped in lived experience, morph into symbols of both individual struggles and collective narratives of addiction.

In works like Family Portraits, I reimagine the family unit using various alcohol bottles to symbolise parental figures, revealing the destructive weight of their consumption. In False Fronts, alcohol-stained baby bibs embody the inherited behaviours imposed on younger generations. Other pieces, such as What You See Is What You Do and The Bed That Was Made for You, explore how addiction warps childhood environments, reshaping perceptions of safety and home.

By distorting familiar objects, I compel viewers to confront the normalisation of alcohol abuse, revealing the insidious effects on identity, emotional health, and personal relationships. My work invites reflection on the far-reaching impact of generational trauma, challenging us to break the cycle.