Washed Up is an installation of glass pieces washed up on the beaches of Port Dickson, Malaysia, and St John’s Island, Singapore. Gathered by the artist, these shards polished by the waves present remnants of their former self. One can only guess what objects they were once part of; their histories and where they had travelled from are unknowable.

Words are engraved on the glass fragments, prompting viewers to consider what these objects tell (or fail to convey) of their own significance. In attempting to read them, each viewer brings different meanings and associates the objects with different experiences. To some, the glass is a metaphor for people, and each iteration of the installation, which is configured differently, leads to new interpretations. Identity, however, remains a common thread across past installations. The work invites contemplation on one’s connection to place and how both past and present are carried within our self. Seen in the context of Gill’s broader interest in exploring new meaning in found objects, the work alludes to the effects of history on culture and landscape, and to shifting notions of identity and belonging.