Here for Eternity - In my house, in my body, in my name

Adan Abaquin-Brown

My project is an exploration of different areas of my life which relate to the idea of home. My first illustration starts with the House. It resembles the process of cell mitosis in order to symbolize my parents’ separation, and consequently the separation of my home life. This illustration depicts an “anatomy of a home” but with abstract concepts to describe the “organelles” and “membranes.” My next piece is about the Body as another scale of “home.” It is a representation of my gender-fluid identity, which sometimes makes it difficult to be comfortable in my own body. Essentially, these two pieces represent my feelings of being pulled in different directions, both externally and internally. My third and main piece of work interprets the Mind as another scale of “home,” and deals with my yearning for a place where I become whole. It is a sort of paradise fueled by memories and dreams, hopes and desires. Its inspiration was taken from the meaning of my own name, Adan, which derives from the word ‘Eden,’ and so I think of this place as something that follows me wherever I go and to the point where I end up fully embodying it. In the Qur’an, my name refers to “one who happily resides somewhere for eternity.” I hope to find this sense of fulfillment in my home and in my body, and not just in my dreams.

About the Artist

My work overall deals with my personal life and seeks to make interpretations of it symbolically. I engage with themes revolving around mental illness, the beauty of nature, self-identity, gender expression, and cultural exploration. My creative practice draws inspiration from my life experiences, dreams, and memories, as well as from aspects of pop culture such as music and films. I also get inspiration from my Black and Filipino cultural heritage, and my religious upbringing.

I am prone to using 2D traditional materials, such as graphite pencil, ink, and watercolor. My process involves a lot of contemplation and isolation. The content of my work comes from my personal writing journals, and the visual inspiration comes from online media. Generally, I hope my art connects with anyone who is simply trying to understand themselves and their place in the world. My artwork tends to engage the most with people in my age group, particularly POC and queer individuals.

The purpose of my art is to understand my own thoughts and feelings, and thus create a space of vulnerability for Black and Brown kids like me. Unfortunately, most of us did not grow up in a household where feelings were openly expressed, so I hope to inspire healing and self-reflection with my work.