Sanna Wani on Crafting a Poetics of Daughterhood
I have always been a writer that draws on my personal life in my writing. The two—my creative practice and my life—often travel often side by side, one after the other, each taking turns leading.
The author, Sanna Wani, describes her writing as deeply intertwined with her personal life. She states that her creative practice and her lived experiences often move in tandem, taking turns in leading the direction of her work. This means that her writing is not separate from her life but rather grows from it, with each influencing the other. For example, a moment from her personal life might inspire a piece of writing, or a creative project could lead her to reflect on her experiences in new ways. This approach highlights the fluid relationship between art and lived reality, where neither is prioritized over the other. The author suggests that this duality is a core part of her artistic identity.
Sanna Wani discusses her focus on crafting a poetics of daughterhood, a term that refers to the artistic exploration of the experiences, emotions, and identities tied to being a daughter. This concept goes beyond simply writing about family relationships; it involves examining the cultural, social, and personal dimensions of daughterhood. Wani’s work likely delves into themes such as expectations, responsibilities, and the complexities of familial bonds. The term poetics here signifies the artistic and expressive qualities of her writing, suggesting that she approaches daughterhood as a subject rich with metaphor, symbolism, and nuanced storytelling. This focus reflects a broader interest in how personal identities are shaped by familial roles.
Wani emphasizes that her creative process and personal life are not separate but rather feed into each other. She describes them as traveling side by side, with each taking turns leading. This means that her writing may draw directly from her experiences as a daughter, or her artistic exploration might lead her to new understandings of those experiences. For instance, a poem or essay could emerge from a specific memory or emotion tied to her role as a daughter, while the act of writing could help her reinterpret or process that memory. This interplay suggests that her work is both a reflection of and a tool for understanding her personal journey.
