Sarah Samlalsingh

Tangled Roots (Assembled)

Photography by Andrew DeCarlo My thesis is about a diasporic identity that exists along the lines of interpersonal connection as well as individuality; insofar as this, my thesis is about love.

“Influenced by the ideologies and definitions of national identity by influential Caribbean diasporic scholars, this piece pushes the boundaries of traditional and colonial definitions of nationality and race. The maker has created a chain-like structure that visually symbolizes her identity, which is defined through her personal relationships (to either a person, place or thing) rather than physical borders.Each link was specially created following their respected ideation page which contains the links contextual information and the makers notes detailing the specific relationship in which it was made to represent. As she lives her life, the chain structure is meant to grow and lengthen as new relationships are formed. Likewise, as time passes it holds the possibility of links losing relativity, and therefore no longer included in that times respected configuration. The order of the links can also be easily rearranged; they were not made to be set in any specific way, but rather be arranged by what “feels right” (and whatever that means to the maker). This work is about the maker and her identity, therefor the intended wearer is the maker. She invites diasporic viewers to look at their identity and nationality through untraditional lenses in hopes that they too may find a semblance of peace within themselves and their sense of belonging.”