Artist Statement
This piece honors my heritage and ancestry. My mother is a Black Panamanian immigrant, my grandmother (abuela) is Asian Panamanian, and I am a white Panamanian American. Though we differ in skin tone, hair texture, and physical features, we share a culture, language, and deep familial love that spans generations.
In this work, I portray three women resembling my abuela, my mother, and myself, each wearing a version of the pollera, Panama’s traditional dress worn in festivals and dances. Surrounding them are symbols of my culture — traditional foods, religious and spiritual icons, music, the ocean, and the Panamanian flag.
Through this artwork, I celebrate the beauty, diversity, and enduring love within my family and heritage.