Untitled [A Memory of My Own]

2023
Polyptych
6 laser-engraved inkjet prints

The sentence engraved onto the photographic—MY MOM DOESN'T KNOW I'M HERE—points to my mother's lack of knowledge about my whereabouts and my life overall. My understanding of her being unaware at all times of where I am, have been and will be, has shaped my understanding of danger, freedom, fear and excitement.

The title and other text components of this work draw inspiration from an autobiographical reference to my departure from my mom's house, where I was born and raised, at the age of fifteen. As an adult now, I am still doing the work of understanding the parts of me she rejected and, more importantly, the parts of her I did and still do.

This work is part of wider research interests regarding silence as a complex political and social phenomenon that affects the 2SLGBTQAI+ communities in particular ways – not only can silence bring about harm, but also protection and safety otherwise unattainable.