Oîma represents a personal exploration of experimentation and nostalgia. The project was born from my desire to learn Guaraní, the second official language of Paraguay, as a way to honor my ancestors. As I delved deeper into the language, I found myself immersing in various forms of handwork, from natural dyeing to bookbinding, creating a tactile archive of sorts.

The phrase ""oîma"" can roughly be translated as ""ready;” often used as a way to depart from a conversation. Oîma elicits a movement forward — perhaps even a mindset for creation, priming the stage for imagination and play.

—Marilyn Sanchez"