Isabel Diana

    This piece focuses on my relation to Being. My perspective is of an adoptee which is one that is not often addressed. This work consists of 10-self portraits, with statements and phrases taken from contraptions about being adopted. The text within the figure placed on t-shirts are a representation of what the truth is to many people or what they wonder most about adoption. Society’s understanding of adoption is very minimal and is reflected in the text shown within the portraits. The conversations that I have had with many people on the topic of adoption are often a non-acknowledgement of the pain and trauma of being adopted. Instead they pry and speak as though it is only a subject and not part of who I am. It is dehumanizing. Adoption is not just a topic, it is an identity an experience but most importantly it is an alternative perspective on the idea of family.

     I am present in this work not only in the portraiture, but also in my responses, The black texts are what I carry on my chest. They never leave me. My responses keep me grounded. Are what grounds me. The red test is formatted into a list of 10 statements/ responses. I often feel I am unable to response I am unable to present my perspective because it is viewed as hard or as too raw. Tis piece is a reclaiming of my own identity. The black text are statements that have flown so naturally in my direction time and time again. The red will shock you because for once it is not sugar coated, the sugar has melted. Once again, I remind you that this work is about Being in the world. Is is not a simple read it will take time to digest and consider. Nothing is black or white with adoption there will always be a lingering red.