2018, 2023
Digital Video, Loop Projection
3:59 min
As more Canadian winters go by and more bags of sugar emptied, the artist’s concern and respect for her aunt grows – as reflected in a moving portrait accompanied by an open letter.
The exploration of her Filipino-Canadian identity is a constant theme in the artist’s practice, interested in the narratives within the Filipino/a/x diaspora. In a more personal narrative, the artist honours her aunt while reflecting on her experiences as a first generation Filipino-Canadian and her family history. The artist chooses her aunt’s nursing graduation portrait to recognize her aunt’s dedication and sacrifice as a nurse and matriarch of the family. By choosing an older portrait and having it gradually covered, the artist emphasizes the importance of time and ephemerality of life as she worries about her aunt’s health and well-being.