Since my immigration, I have become increasingly concerned about a sense of place and belonging. My work explores landscape and its elements through direct experience of the environment around me. I create imaginary environments by taking elements of my surroundings and assembling them together. This work explores topics such as personal memories, and everyday rituals, as well as self-awareness and integration.
Each layer in my artwork whispers a tale, steeped in the essence of my journey. The lace textures, far from being mere adornments, are woven tapestries of femininity—delicate, intricate, resonating with the soft strength of womanhood. These patterns, embroidered with floral motifs, speak of nature's enduring beauty and grace, a silent testament to the gentle yet resilient spirit of the feminine soul.
With a layer of light and noise, the underlying rhythm of the visual story reflects the bustle of the city. This layer intricately mirrors urban life's dynamic pulse and vibrancy, setting the tempo for the visual narrative to unfold.
In my series, a poignant element is the self-portrait positioned at the window, a visual metaphor resonating with my experience as an immigrant woman seeking a sanctuary. These windows are more than mere architectural features; they are symbolic thresholds between worlds. Sometimes, I am depicted behind the window, my world partially obscured, reflecting the introspection and barriers I have faced. Other times, I am on the outside looking in, symbolizing my journey and the often-elusive quest for belonging. This interplay of placement – inside looking out, outside looking in – encapsulates the duality of my existence, caught between two realms. It speaks to the fluidity of identity and place, and the constant negotiation of inside and outside spaces that define the immigrant experience. Through this, I aim to capture the essence of being perpetually in-between, conveying both the longing and the resilience that mark my journey towards finding a place to call home.
