Artist Statement
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My current work is climbing towards the concept of heritage and pride amongst not only one’s home, but more specifically of one’s families birthplace and origin. This is illustrated through my installations of land formations, in the form of three-dimensional topographical maps. I am interested in shapes of land as well as planes and levels of the terrain. Where one lives and comes from by no means defines who that person is, it does however have a profound effect on the making of that person, which in the long run can help shape the future of his or her generation and so on. In my case I am dealing with the duality of being both a first generation American growing up in Los Angeles, California as well as staying true to the Philippino-Chinese heritage of my parents.
I think curiosity of one’s genealogy or lineage is a common thread that we all share, it is innately woven into the fabric that makes us human beings. At some point or another everybody questions who they are, and it comes down to you don’t truly know who you are until you know not only where you’ve been, but also where your ancestors have been. This work will be my attempt on acknowledging and understanding who I am through my roots.
