Hybrid

Each of the individuals depicted in this series, Hybrid, have migrated to the United States from other countries around the globe. Each subject is unique in where they came from as well as the cultures they celebrate. A palette of vibrant colors brings life to these paintings and symbolizes the process of cultural hybridity.

Hybrid visualizes the interactions between multiple races, cultures and ethnicities. Multifaceted identities are represented​ through a mixture of colors signifying the combining of different cultures, without losing identity in the process. By layering a variety of color to each painting, it simultaneously represents each person’s cultural background as well as the culture they currently reside in. This process showcases that despite cultural assimilation, America is a place where people from other countries can come and continue to celebrate their culture of origin. 

In creating Hybrid, each individual was interviewed about their experience of moving to America. Each painting includes powerful words inspired by their journey of becoming a citizen of the United States. Getting to know each person and learning their story was influential in choosing the color palette of each painting. 

Hybrid ​celebrates heterogenous cultural experience. It embraces the mixing of cultures, while still respecting difference, boldly claiming in its vibrant visage that we should share and celebrate each culture together​.  

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