Artist Statement
Quilted Self Portrait is part of a series where I explore the complexities of memory, culture, and identity. Drawing from family archives and materials significant to my upbringing, I seek to retrieve forgotten childhood memories and reconnect with the Filipino heritage I left behind through immigration. The cyanotype’s hazy blur captures the fluid nature of memory, while the act of quilting symbolizes the reconstruction of those moments. As I scale my childhood photograph into the quilt, my image dissolves into a simple silhouette against a wash of fluid blue. This visual loss reflects my internal experience: reaching back into childhood, only to realize how much has faded over time. By remembering the past while creating new memories, I strive to bridge the gap between my Filipino roots and American culture, ultimately redefining my identity as a third-culture kid.
