Retrospective

PROMPT 1:  PROCESS

I found myself compelled to delve beyond conventional notions of identity throughout this creative process. My aim was to emphasize that identity extends beyond commonplace preconceptions, encompassing elements such as family, body size, and our roots. It transcends the boundaries of race and gender.

In our Education classes, there is a prevalent focus on race as a paramount aspect of identity in certain contexts. This perspective troubled me, given the meaningful relationships I have with individuals of diverse backgrounds. They are more than mere variations in skin tone; they are brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, uncles, and more. I grew frustrated with the prevailing narrative that prioritizes race above all else. When engaging with people of color, their identity wasn't confined to their racial background. Instead, it revolved around their family, education, and personal experiences, including disabilities. My intention in creating this artwork was to highlight this broader spectrum of identity, challenging the narrow emphasis on race that dominates many discussions.

I came up with my design because I wanted something that reflects the different parts of who we are. One of my drawings is about my significant other, who's of two different races—black and white. My artwork tries to show how our identities are interconnected and go beyond just race. I wanted to use cats because they are like humans come in different shapes, colors, and are all different personalities and come from different backgrounds. But like humans are seen by their fur patterns.

With these two ideas, I aimed to incorporate significant aspects of the people I care and love, and at the same time, use cats as a way to illustrate the diversity among individuals. I made 5 of them because it shows that no two people are the same. They might come from the same idea but they are not the same. And they will never be the same.

As I worked on this project, I grappled with deciding which identities I wanted to highlight. Ultimately, I chose to feature family on each one, as, to me, it's the most crucial aspect of one's identity. Despite the challenges and pain my family has brought into my life, I recognize that without them, I wouldn't be the person I am today. The difficulties I've faced have molded me into a stronger individual compared to many of my peers, and they've also gifted me with a unique sense of humor.

PROMPT 2:  PRODUCT

Examine how identity and context (contemporary and historical) impact text engagement.

During this project, I aimed to emphasize the significance of identity in my artwork. I believe that if we don't encounter positive representations of ourselves in literature, our sense of self can become somewhat foreign. I vividly recall the first time I read a book featuring a plus-sized protagonist rather than the stereotypical thin, blonde-haired girl, and it made me feel truly seen. Over time, such diverse representations in literature have become more visible.

Currently, I'm engrossed in a book featuring an empowered plus-sized woman, and I find joy in reading about her. Similarly, when I came across the first LGBTQAI book, it resonated with me, providing a sense of visibility. Books, in essence, are meant to help us better understand ourselves, serving as windows into the lives of others to foster empathy and mutual understanding. Through my artwork, I aimed to convey the importance of portraying and understanding identity in a positive light within the realm of literature.