Artist's Statement 

How are immigrants perceived, both by themselves and others?

        In 2019, Nashville’s status as a sanctuary city was revoked. As the daughter and granddaughter of immigrants who risked everything for their chance at the elusive American dream, the topic immediately felt personal. I was continuously shocked as I not only followed the political debates on the issue but also witnessed firsthand the effects this decision had on my community.

 

        Seeking to expand my cultural awareness on the subject, I conducted a one-month-long independent research study interviewing undocumented immigrants in my community and composing anonymous narratives based on their lives. I was grateful for each individual that entrusted me with their story and sought to listen to what they had to say with an open heart and open mind.

 

        The experience raised questions I’d never before considered. Whose perspective and stories do we hear? Whose voice goes unheard? Hearing the stories of so many undocumented immigrants, especially those who’d never been able to share them before, made me realize that there are not just two, but hundreds of sides to every story. That for every voice we hear, there are thousands that we don’t. That, to truly understand one another, we must never stop expanding our cultural awareness. We must never stop seeking the silenced voice, the unwritten story, or the concealed perspective.

 

        Consequently, the question that guided my sustained investigation was, “How are immigrants perceived, both by themselves and others?” I wanted my work to make the immigrant’s silenced voice audible, their unwritten story written, their concealed perspective revealed. Thus, I made a conscious effort to have my pieces be both unavoidable and confrontational. While observing my work, I intend the viewer to be challenged by internal questions and driven to more deeply investigate both themselves and the world around them.

 

        Throughout my sustained investigation, you can see the development of my overall style and technique, culminating with five color-blocked portraits. While the increase in scale parallels the increase of each subject’s age, the bold colors and facial features of each one still manage to capture the viewer’s attention individually. Additionally, each portrait was done on cardboard, referencing the transitory state of human existence. The motif of birds throughout the investigation as a whole references migration, and, more specifically, the ability to both literally and metaphorically “fly.” I was most inspired by the works of Hung Li, specifically, her Seven Poses print series.