For many years I supported myself as an immigrant and refugee aid worker, facilitating the resettlement of hundreds of families to Canada.

As a result of that work I found that virtually every immigrant had made of themselves in a way an Exile of their native lands. Many would never have made the difficult journey if only their native lands had been a bit more hospitable.

There is deep sense of displacement and alienation that most immigrants feel once the initial euphoria of arrival in a strange new land has worn off. New identities are formed against the realities of adaptation and integration into a foreign culture.

Materials: book (Canadian Immigration and Refugee Law Practice, Waldman, 2005), mirror, judas, found objects, ground glass, plywood, stain, acrylic sheet, brass hardware, lamp.

Book Dimensions: 
23 x 15.6 x 5.6cm / 9 x 6 x 2in
Installation Dimensions: 
120 x 75 x 30cm / 48 x 30 x 12in

2010