Statement of Perspective

This painting, “Journey,” represents more than a landscape to me, it’s a reflection of the immigrant experience and the quiet resilience it requires. The snow-capped mountains symbolize both beauty and challenge: obstacles that stand tall and unyielding, yet shimmer with possibility when light hits them just right. Growing up in an immigrant family, I’ve seen how those mountains can feel endless. The climb often means learning a new language, rebuilding a life from scratch, and facing the quiet loneliness that comes with being caught between two homes.

The fading pink sky in the background mirrors the tension between hope and exhaustion. It’s that in-between moment when the sun hasn’t fully risen or set, just like the in-between space so many immigrants live in, carrying the past while striving for a future that still feels distant. The reflection on the water is intentional too: it blurs and ripples, just as identity does when it’s constantly being translated across cultures.

Still, there’s warmth in the piece. The greens and browns at the mountain’s base show that life persists even in the shadows. To me, that persistence is the heart of the immigrant story, the quiet, steady will to keep moving forward, to carve out belonging even when the path is steep. This painting is my way of honoring that endurance. It’s a reminder that adversity doesn’t erase beauty; it deepens it.