This initial phase of the residency unfolded within the imposing walls of the Museo delle Civiltà in Rome, where I engaged deeply with the complex and painful narratives embedded within the museum's colonial collections. Surrounded by stolen artifacts from various cultures—including my own—I confronted histories of extraction, loss, and disconnection. The experience was emotionally taxing, compelling me to question the permanence of these objects in foreign spaces and reflect on the enduring impact of colonial violence. I navigated the tension between scholarly engagement and personal grief, grappling with the responsibility of holding these histories while seeking pathways to artistic response and healing.
Displacement, Confrontation, Injustice, Reflection, Burden, Silence, Resilience