Canadian immigration narratives often focus on the act of arriving and settling in Canada, but my interests lie in the process of leaving. Why does one leave? What is the process of leaving like? This series is a personal exploration into the immigration of my family from the Netherlands in 1949.

The emotional aspects of immigrating, especially before technological advancements in communication, are difficult for me to comprehend. However, I am unable to question those who immigrated. Creating works through closely observing and rendering family documents is my way of studying their act of leaving. Through this work I hope to understand what they may have been thinking and what it may have been like to say goodbye.  

Delft Blauw Fernweh
Photo Polymer Print, 2016. ​image 5 x 5 in., paper 8 x 8 in.

Documents for Leaving
Graphite on paper, 2017. Three Documents; 6.75 x 5 in., 8.5 x 11 in., 9.5 x 8 in. 

Untitled Immigration Drawings
Graphite on paper, 2016. ​Four drawings, each 20 x 25 in.

Untitled Immigration Drawings 2
Graphite on paper, 2016. ​Three drawings, each 20 x 25 in.