do you recognize me?
Olivia F.
colored pencil, cut paper
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I made this piece using two reference photos of ancestors from both my mom’s and dad’s families. On the left is my grandma and her aunt, and the right is my great grandmother and her cousin. I wanted to bring color to these old photos, and through art feel more connected with them. Even though I’ve never talked to two of these ancestors, staring into their eyes, I feel I know them a bit better. I also feel this way because while creating this piece I heard more about their lives from my parents and talked with my grandmother (who was pictured) about her story. Additionally, in this piece I mixed poetry with visual art, using Korean and English to highlight their names and backstories. Lastly, this piece has encouraged me create more work that investigates my mixed familial history, and use art to bridge communities and collective histories.
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For me, creativity pushes past the physical product of a finished painting or drawing; it is about the thought that goes into the impact of the piece and the intentionality put into each element of a work.
