My work explored how a sense of community could emerge among individuals with distinct histories—especially within the immigrant experience of the Bay Area. Drawing on my studies of Japanese-method woodblock printmaking in Canada and Japan, I created the At Home Far Away series: continuous-lined woodcut portraits of first-generation residents that reflect their resilience and the complexity of their life paths. I made inks from raw natural pigments to assert our presence in bold, sometimes dissonant, yet complementary colors. Each sitter also contributed a piece of music, which I listened to while carving their portrait—blending visual and auditory layers into each piece. The series was never intended as a demographic study, but as a living snapshot of the cultural richness and emotional depth of our community. Though each story was unique, the portraits together offered a portrayal of what it means to be both far from home and deeply rooted.

This work led me to develop and present public programs with the San Francisco Arts Commission, the Asian Art Museum’s Asia Alive program, Museo Italoamericano, and other institutions across the country.