My Father's Daughter, 2022

acrylic, tulle, paper stay and linen stictched on canvas
71 x 93 inch

I have always been fascinated by the way my older brother defines himself. On his social media, instead of his name, he simply writes : “Son of an International landscaper”. I began to think about the ways in which we define ourselves and in whom we place our identities. More often than not, our identities are primarily defined and shaped by whose sons and daughters we are.

From 1977 to 1979, my father had hopes and dreams of becoming an Artist. Years later, I would find myself following in his footsteps. Whenever it comes to my artistic abilities, I always accredit my father with teaching me how to draw and paint: I was 7 or 8 years old when he taught me my first landscape drawing. Over the years, I would find myself recreating this landscape, and it thus became a representational bridge between my father and I, connecting his past hopes and dreams with my present ones, and creating a mirror wherein I could see myself through him.