On Uncovering The Mystery of an Ancestor
Gabriella Peña writes about Emily May Jampel's work for our 2020-2021 Singing on a Sinking Ship residency circuit
“September” Illustration By &z. (zeinab “ames” ajasa)
On Uncovering The Mystery of an Ancestor
Story By Gabriella Peña
Art By Emily May Jampel
September 21, 2025
Photo Courtesy of the Emily May Jampel (The Artist)
Emily May Jampel has a way of capturing the distinct and very human feeling of melancholy and portraying it in her photography. The collection titled Monday, 9/7 - 11:35 am, centers her grandmother, who lost her battle to lung cancer. Jampel opens up about their relationship, stating how her grandma was and remains a mainly mysterious figure in her life. This is a woman who clearly mandates respect and admiration. The pride with which she holds her baby at bottom left, the strength in her stance in the photo directly above, she appears to us beaming with confidence and assuredness.
The prospect of the mission here is clear: Jampel is searching for the missing puzzle pieces of her grandmother within her photography. She has provided us with the image at the bottom right of her grandmother in action, feeding or petting a deer. She has adopted the trust of this animal and cares for the deer affectionately, with an amused inner child seemingly at the forefront. Jampel has also included photos of her father as a child, taken by the late grandmother. Jampel is quoted as saying; “I could tell she really loved him from the way she talked about him and held the photos.” There is still much mystery remaining centering this figure. This is a relatable experience for many, picking up the pieces left behind from our loved ones, collecting the paints that make up their image in our mind. Jampel leaves viewers in the same position feeling less alone, and with a sense of hope when it comes to forming the tapestry of late loved ones in their mind, that perhaps even without so many fabrics in their arsenal, one can still form something worthy.
Meet the Feature Writer:
Gabriella Peña (They/She) is a proud Mexican American born and raised in the Bay Area outside Oakland, California. They are attending Sonoma State University and seeking their Bachelor’s degree in English Literature with an emphasis in Creative Writing, which they plan to receive in Spring of 2026. They have always been enamored with reading and writing, from a very young age wanting to pursue such avenues professionally. They are a strong advocate for all creative expression, and harbor a deep desire not only to create, but to support fellow creatives. They are currently working as the Managing Editor for the literary magazine ZAUM, which is student-led and published by Sonoma State University. In addition to this, they are a freelance writer.
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