Midterm-Too Small of a Shell

       For my midterm project I decided to make a collage that did not have a picture of me, instead I decided to use an animal(turtle). Each piece has a different meaning but the main idea was to portray how it feels to move from my home(Puerto Rico). I chose this topic because its an unprecedented event that has made a great impact in my life. At first the contents seem innocent, almost like a kid's drawing of a landscape, but there's more to it.I wanted to use objects so that it could be more interactive but to also make the tangible objects the focus of the project.
      The landscape in the back was taken from a picture I have of Puerto Rico were both coast and country can be observed. I decided to keep this part slightly detailed because it represents simpler times and the mountains as the background because it used to be my past.The palm tree is mostly coconut at the bottom because it represents my roots and how they remain solid. However, going up the palm tree there's a sort of missing piece that represent the disaster that came after Hurricane Maria. Which us the main reason why I moved, also from this point up the rest of the palm leads to what it's become one of my main priorities after moving, which is financial stability. Also it shows how consumerism has made a big impact on me as a person.The water seems heavily disturbed and the colors are meant to symbolize moments of confusion,anxiety,sadness(black) but also happiness and clarity(white)and some gray areas, which are more of an in between. The turtle is in the water which is a representation of me, because that's how I feel my life has become ever since I moved to New Jersey. Also I picked a turtle(tortuga tinglar from Puerto Rico) because I can relate to what they are know for which is a sort of calmness and patience but yet I can find myself in murky waters when I'm too stressed.    
     The idea to use my home was inspired by Ana Mendieta and the way the mountains and water were painted was inspired by Georgia O'Keeffe. Also, the idea to make some of the content in a different material was influenced by Mickalene Thomas. This project represents me because, regardless of where I find myself, I identify myself as a Puerto Rican and acknowledge that I'm heavily influenced by its culture. However, I also wanted to add elements that would also show how living in a different place has changed my point of view of myself and others.