This piece is a tribute to my grandmother, who passed away in early 2025, reflecting the cyclical nature of generations passing and roles shifting that we take on over time. The empty chair beside me once belonged to her, just as I once sat in it the last time I saw her, listening to the stories of her past and her many opinions on things at the time. Now, I sit in a new chair; my grandmother’s chair, carrying on her legacy, just as future generations will continue to do in my place. The act of pulling the rabbit by its ears is a playful nod to the way she used to pinch us by our ears lovingly, whenever we would do something naughty. Inspired by Edith Clayton, I incorporated themes of history, belonging, and generational duty through symmetry and intricacy with the border, mirroring the balance of loss but having the willingness to continue on. The vibrant colours and decorative elements, done with acrylic and pencil crayon, evoke celebration rather than mourning, embracing how when there is sorrow, we must always look for the joy. This work is also a visual representation of yin and yang, as seen on the carpet—the contrast between presence and absence, tradition and change.

–Reem Hussain (Grade 11, Cawthra Park Secondary School, Mississauga, Ontario)

Nova Scotia-based maker Edith Clayton (1920–1989) was acclaimed for her skillfully handwoven splintwood baskets created through a combination of African and British weaving techniques, with influence from local Mi’kmaw dyeing practices.