What Echoes Within
Music has always been more than just sound to me; it’s a portal. It’s connected to memory, emotion, the present moment and it’s a visual experience. Sometimes I feel like I’ve literally been transported while listening to music. It connects me to the past while also rooting me in the now. In my upcoming solo show, What Echoes Within, I explore my connection with music by translating the songs that resonate with me into visual interpretations. Each piece is a part of the soundtrack of my life, capturing specific moments that linger long after the music fades.
This collection reflects a deeply personal journey. These works are echoes of relationships I celebrate, those I grieve, my dreams and aspirations, and the emotions I’ve processed over the past two years. Each song holds meaning, whether it’s a sense of longing in All Through the Night by Cyndi Lauper (my childhood idol), the nostalgic hope of The The’s This is the Day, or the vulnerability of Ripe’s Say It to Me. In many ways, these songs feel like they chose me. The moment I heard them, I knew they needed to be translated into something tangible.
Using natural inks that I’ve made by hand, I’ve developed two distinct styles for this show. The woven paper pieces—like Dreams by the Cranberries or Paradise by Sade—interlace painted strips of paper, creating layers of texture that mimic the interconnectedness of lyrics and memory. The mixed-media works, which combine ink, pen, and embroidery, bring out the layers of emotion and sound. Each piece is created through a meditative process, allowing the materials to flow intuitively, as the music guides my hand.
The color palettes for each piece are thoughtfully crafted using the cultural and spiritual symbolism of the natural materials I use to make my inks. Every ingredient, from pokeberries to red cabbage, is chosen not only for its visual qualities but also for its deeper connection to the music. Pokeberries might symbolize courage, while red cabbage represents new beginnings. This symbolism allows each piece to become more than an interpretation of sound—it becomes a layered reflection of nature, memory, and the emotional resonance of the music.
What Echoes Within is about the moments these songs represent in my life and the echoes they leave behind. I invite you to experience this show and see how music connects us all, weaving threads of memory, emotion, and sound.
Show Details
What Echoes Within by Amanda Roy
East Hartford Public Library
East Hartford, CT
Show dates: March 31 - May 11, 2025
Artist Reception: April 17, 2025. 5:30pm - 7:30pm