Longing For Belonging

A Set of 18 screenprinted panels, each 48” x 91”, combined to form a 140” x 200” installation with a 60” entryway.

“There is an old saying that once you leave home you could be anywhere…

Once you leave home, everywhere can be home.

Once you leave home, everywhere can be un/home.

Once you leave home, movement may become home.”

For a long time, when asked the question “Where are you from?” I experience mixed emotions. It brings up more questions, what is my identity, where is my home, and which version of the answer should I share. Sometimes, I ask myself that question too and I do not have an answer. I am physically distanced from my country of origin and feel emotionally separated from the country I reside in. There is a dynamic tension of living here and remembering there; between the metaphorical and physical home. Drawing inspiration from past and current homes, a version of home is created that pairs representational objects, mixing American vernacular and childhood memories from Hong Kong. This body of work represents the emotions associated with the desire for home and the Longing for Belonging.