Kas Lockwood

My grandparents helped found a Burmese Association here in Toronto. It was a nice community for them here. The building meant a lot to them and the friends they made here.

My grandpa used to work as a dentist. When he came to Canada he built airplanes. Many immigrants experience this drastic change in career due to the laws here in Canada.

My grandpa used to wear a longyi at home. The colours and fabric are like a small comfort. It reminded him of home, and now it reminds me of him.

My grandma used to live in Taunggyi, everything was on the water. I remember her stories about it.

Pyit taing htaung – these are small toys from Myanmar that remind me of its resilience- and the resilience of my family. The doll tips when thrown but always gets back up. A letter of the phrase is written on the 28 prints.

This painting referenced an image taken of my family in the airport on their way to Canada.

Being mixed and growing up in Canada, I felt a level of disconnect from my culture. This image represents that struggle with identity.

Growing up I heard a lot of stories about my family and where we came from. All that I know and learned has come from my family’s stories and what I imagined Myanmar to be like, both as a kid and even now.

The Way Home