Mommy, Please Don't Go

Artist Statement

My painting visually illustrates the profound impact of family separation and its associated trauma. Through the creative process, I painted the handcuffed mother and the sorrowful child holding hands with interlaced fingers. I purposely painted all the figures wearing some kind of combination of red, white, and blue. The doll represents the aspirations and challenges faced by individuals seeking a better life, and the often-complex realities of the American Dream. The child is painted wearing white to represent her innocence.