About the Exhibition

What happens when land that was once understood as a source of sustenance, livelihood, and community becomes increasingly understood as property, commodity and a sellable asset? My work explores how the meaning, identity and usage of land have changed over the years particularly within my own community and family. I am interested in the contrast between land as a natural physical ground and the man-made systems used to control its identity including its ownership, boundaries, and divisions.

In the past, land was primarily utilized for growing food and supporting livelihood. Many traditional practices, knowledge and rituals were thus naturally connected to farming and agricultural land. It was connected to memory, work, family, community and a sense of belonging. Today, with rapid urbanization and development, land’s usage and identity have undergone vast change. It is increasingly understood through ownership, property value, boundaries, plot numbers and legal documents.

During this residency, I explored the question using land maps, legal documents, soil, seeds, aerial images, textiles and using paper weaving, installation, documentation, anthotype and other material experiments. Through this work, I am looking at the space between what land was, what it has become, and what it might become.