Mary Douglas believes that our history as a nation is made up of many private, personal memories embodied in souvenirs. Such memories are just as important, she feels, as the ​“official” history taught in our institutions. For Douglas, even the most humble objects can tell us about the cultures they come from. Her works look like mass-produced souvenirs, but are crafted with an artisan’s care. “[I aspire to] the object that has traditionally graced the walls of kitchens and living rooms, providing comfort as a decorative … reminder of where we have been or would like to be.” Artist quoted in Do Not Touch… (Exhibition Catalogue), 1997