‘Irma and Dennis’ selected finalist for the 2023 the Bowness Prize

Schmetterlinghaus is a series which intertwines the fabric of insects with the pigment of my family history. Symbolised through butterflies, the project seeks to reimagine the immigration experience.

At times, the butterflies embody playfulness, vibrancy and the promise of love and the emergence of safety in a foreign land. At other times, the insects take on darker forms, becoming alien, veiled, and bearing hidden scars enduring echoes of trauma. 

These transformations mirror the complexities and challenges faced by those who venture into unfamiliar territories, grappling with their identities and navigating the intricacies of cultural adaptation. Schmetterlinghaus invites viewers to reflect on their own connections to migration, identity, and the profound tapestry of human journeys and inherited experiences.