For all the sorrow in the world we drown in tears of blood

This self-portrait by Tatum Kempers reveals how deeply the world’s suffering affects her. It reflects the pain of injustice, loss, and destruction caused by war, disease, natural disasters, and the ecological crisis we ourselves have created. As individuals, we seem to be consumed by a society that increasingly resembles an all-devouring dinosaur, relentlessly destroying everything in its path.

The once elegant and traditional kimono has been transformed into a heavy, oppressive garment that embodies the unbearable weight of sorrow. How do we stop this monster and reverse the devastation?

Credits in work by Tatum Kempers: Design on kimono is from the series ‘once we were travellers’ by Rick Kup and Tatum Kempers. Sound on video by Rick Kup.