“Organized Hoarding”. Based on my grandmother and her need to constantly collect and stash things she might never need in the future, from plastic bags to spare tins and everything in between.
“Never Alone”. Representing the constant surveillance, judgment, and dehumanization of those being oppressed during the Bosnian War.
“Not Everyone Was Born Out of Love”. The numbers vary for the number of children born out of sexual violence during the Bosnian War, with between 10,000-50,000 women reporting cases during this time. These children are often referred to as ‘invisible’ or ‘children of shame’, being shunned or seen as extensions of their mother's abuser and shame.
“Clouding the Mind”. Representing the preferred overstimulation of an environment of someone who has gone through wartime trauma and PTSD. Sleeping with the lights and TV on, for example, might be distracting for most but a necessary source of safety and comfort for others.
“Once Inseparable”. Yugoslavia was known for its diverse group of nationalities and religious groups living together within it, and it was common for kids from different groups to hang out together without issue. With the push of political and hateful propaganda, those same kids who grew up together easily came to see each other as enemies.
“Inter-Connected”. Inspired by the bond between and stories I’ve been told about my grandmother, mother, and aunt, showing the constant connection and communication throughout the years, from childhood, war, and in times of peace.
“It Never Ended”
“It Never Ended” draws on real-life accounts from the Bosnian War to illustrate the traumas and fears of tragedy and what is not always easy to say, showing the effects of the war on both first-generation families and the diaspora.
