Artist statement

Influenced by Serge Alain Nitegeka’s Migrant I 2020 installation, Migrant Needs explores themes of immigration, the fragility of displacement, and the treasured items a migrant carries during transit. While these essentials represent the detachment from lifelong memories in the hope of building a new life, this work reflects a conflicting moment where I had to decide between needs and wants. The large, brown space is a symbol of transitioning from an African soil to the unknown. The Shona dictionary and Bible serve as the few reminders of my identity: my mother tongue and reliance on a higher power for guidance. As the ambient, yet busy sound of an airport plays, I am instantaneously flooded with memories of how I felt in that moment: uncertainty, yes, but also exhilaration.

Process

To create this artwork, I carefully selected and arranged personal items of specific color and meaning. I photographed the packing processes, emphasising the limited space and time I had. I then created digital artwork and a stop-motion short film to capture the process of having to be selective about what to take when leaving my country.

About the artist

As a seventeen-year-old who has lived in three different countries, my inspiration stems from my profound experiences and earnest desire to preserve my Zimbabwean-South African identity while simultaneously navigating Australian culture. Therefore, it is a great honour to be a recipient of the ‘Creative Generation Excellence Award’ as I consider Visual Art to be a vessel that communicates powerful stories of identity, belonging and self-discovery across diverse audiences. After graduation, I intend to broaden my knowledge in International or Immigration Law while exploring my beloved passion for the creative through content creation, fashion styling and photography.