As I reflect on the diverse and often unpredictable experiences that shape who I am, I move away from the idea of a fixed essence or origin.
My history is a dynamic entity that constantly evolves and shapes my present.
Living in Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy, Mexico, and the United States has taught me to embrace the complexities of race, gender, and class, deepening my understanding of the many factors that contribute to identity.
I find inspiration in Edouard Glissant’s concept of “Poetics of Relation.” He challenges the idea of a single, dominant root that defines everything. Instead, he celebrates the image of the rhizome—a structure where roots spread out, twist together, and create connections.
This concept is akin to how lotus plants, bearded irises, and calla lilies grow; they form a captivating web of interconnectedness that thrives through horizontal networks, much like the links that influence my background.
Although my dislocated roots sometimes leave me grappling with uncertainty, I embrace this as a meaningful part of my journey. As my children grow up in various countries, I observe how their connections shape their identities and contribute to their sense of belonging.
Artist Statement
This work is my attempt to visualize the rhizome -- a structure without hierarchy, where every point connects to every other. Identity, for me, is not a tree with a single trunk but a network of encounters, displacements, and returns. Each photograph is a node in that network.
