Zaina Bovell

“Creolese and liming”. Sacrifice of cultural identity. In a foreign country, Guyanese immigrants may reduce their use of the “Creolese” language to adjust to their new country and lives. “Liming” (hangouts) with other Guyanese people is an opportunity for them to put back on a piece of their cultural identity.

“Dinner Table”. Sacrifice of taste. Growing up, I rejected many cultural foods because I found them gross or too weird to eat. This meant my mom got to eat her favourite foods less often, and we constantly disagreed about which dishes to have for dinner. As a result, she gave up many familiar flavours from her homeland to satisfy my childish taste buds.

“Covered in Gold”. Sacrifice of wealth. Giving gold to young family members is a common occurrence in Guyana. People do this in hopes of building wealth and stability for their loved ones' futures. My mother never gave me actual gold to inherit. However, she was always the type of woman to willingly give “the clothes off of her back” if it ensured the well-being of her children.

"A Sun Conure flies north." Sacrifice of family. Kites in Guyana are a symbol of family bonding due to their popularity during the easter holiday. Kites can be seen flying in the sky as families gather for picnics and barbecues. Sun Conures are also seen as symbols of family, joy, and intense affection due to their social behaviors. The native Guynese bird often travels in groups of 15-30 and rarely leaves its flock. This piece uses these two symbols to tell the story of my mother parting from her “flock” to migrate to Canada.

"Flea Market Fashion". Sacrifice of career. While it wouldn't have been impossible for my mom to raise children and pursue a career. She ultimately made the decision to put her energy into her children rather than chasing her dreams. With these illustrations, I imagine two versions of my mother. One version of her if she had followed her dream of becoming a fashion designer. The other version of her continuing to work her old flea market job she had when I was little.

“One Destiny, Guyana”. Sacrifice of simplicity. Because my mother had her other children and me, she couldn't necessarily leave her life in Canada behind. The phrase "One Destiny, Guyana" derives from Guyana's official motto, "One People, One Nation, One Destiny". In my opinion, "One Destiny" is to fully envision where your life is headed. In Guyana, my mom’s vision was to start working young after taking her CXC (Caribbean exam). After, she would have found a decent job to work the rest of her days and earn money to live comfortably. She now often reminisces about the quieter lifestyle she once lived back home.

"Thank you”. The “Victoria Amazonica” is recognized as Guyana's national flower. The giant water lily, sometimes referred to as the "Queen of the water", represents the enduring nature of the wetlands of Guyana. Similar to the enduring nature of mothers while raising children. Furthermore, gifting flowers to someone is often used to show affection and gratitude. Therefore, this illustration depicts 22 lilies to symbolize my adoration for my mother and the 22 years she has dedicated to supporting me.

Imported Goods