My Mother’s Motherland (Senior Thesis Exhibition)
My Mother’s Motherland is a personal exploration of my Soviet heritage, focusing on the struggle and hidden joy within my family’s journey. Featuring family photos and handwritten reflections in Russian, my project shares the emotional weight of my parents’ and grandparents’ experiences of fleeing their homeland.
The use of illegible Russian handwriting symbolizes the strength and perseverance hidden beneath hardship and language barriers. Narrated in Russian, my project provides viewers the perspective of the immigrant experience. To face unfamiliar language and culture while also recognizing the deep resilience that shaped my family’s path to the US. Through this archival exploration, I hope to offer a deeper understanding of my heritage and the strength of those who fled their country, even when the meaning of their stories might not be immediately clear.
Documentation Credit: Seth Akgün