Artwork Collection

I cut a mango for you

“I cut a mango for you” celebrates nostalgic acts of love within Asian immigrant households, where love wasn’t spoken for, rather shown through acts of service. “I cut a mango for you” provides an understanding perspective on the acts of services that immigrant children may misjudge today – it welcomes and celebrates the idea that love comes in many indirect forms within immigrant households.

children of immigrants POC Filipino culture

divider
a kid's wishlist
a kid's wishlist

Illustration

a kid's wishlist

Toys were a luxury in immigrant households

bahay
bahay

Illustration

bahay

A common space within an immigrant family's home that served as a space for family time, exploration of a child's imagination and a humble beginning

eat na
eat na

Illustration

eat na

"Eat na" was the words Filipino immigrant parents used to make sure the children were fed - this act of service was a common form of love within Asian immigrant families

got it from my momma
got it from my momma

Illustration

got it from my momma

Filipino immigrant mothers hand made clothes using patterned textiles for their children

i cut a mango for you - mom
i cut a mango for you - mom

Illustration

i cut a mango for you - mom

A zine guide on "how to cut a mango" by a Filipino immigrant mom

love is sacrifice, love is love
love is sacrifice, love is love

Illustration

love is sacrifice, love is love

Immigrant parents sacrificed their time, worked hard and provided anything they could for their children to have a life better than theirs

nostalgia heals
nostalgia heals

Illustration

nostalgia heals

Children of immigrants were subjected to enrol in many extra-curricular activities as a form of finding success in their children - art was mine

picture day 1999
picture day 1999

Illustration

picture day 1999

Picture days to commemorate my individuality and difference amongst peers as being dressed differently, spoke differently and overall looked differently.

Work by

Sharlene Jane Santos

Visual Artist

““I cut a mango for you” celebrates nostalgic acts of love within Asian immigrant households, where love wasn’t spoken for, rather shown through acts of service. It is a celebration of Asian immigrant...” [More]