Measuring Tape Memorial is a sculptural tribute to my grandfather, Tata Willy, who was a master woodworker and a quiet, guiding presence in my life. He always carried a measuring tape—always clipped to his belt, always within reach. For him, it wasn’t just a tool; it was an extension of his hands, his mind, and his way of understanding the world. When each of his grandchildren reached a certain age, he would gift us our first measuring tape. It was a small but powerful gesture—like passing down a key to something bigger.

The installation features a giant version of his tape measure, scaled up and opened like a reliquary. Inside, instead of tools, it holds a collection of colorful candles shaped like tiny measuring tapes—each one a quiet offering, a memory frozen in wax. These candles are meant to echo both celebration and mourning: the birthday-like joy of receiving your first tool, and the soft glow of remembrance.

The measuring tape unrolls across the floor like a timeline—a simple material turned monumental. With Measuring Tape Memorial, I wanted to honor the legacy of making, of teaching through doing, and the quiet rituals that hold families together. It’s about craftsmanship, memory, and the way even the most ordinary objects can become sacred when they carry love.