‘Wave’

Would-be immigrants of all stripes pressure our porous southern border. Caught in this matrix are many children of color. Children are the most vulnerable segment of the immigrant population. Their fates are impacted by fickle government policies, as well as decisions made by older family members, which can have profound, sometimes unintended, consequences on their lives.

Witness the thousands of children who have been held in a form of purgatory at the Mexican border.

In ‘Wave’, dozens of porcelain doll heads form a human wave. The porcelain, tinted a variety of skin tones, represents the range of peoples attempting to enter the U.S. ‘Wave’ portrays the immigrants as a wave of human potential, as yet untapped, steadfastly moving forward. Here, even adults may be seen as infants, as those entering a new country are starting a new life.

Papel picado (cut paper) banners grace many festivities in Mexico. They have also found their way into the detention centers housing children in custody at the border, and here hang above the porcelain heads. Desert sand and gravel on the head-covered platform contrast with the bright green astroturf on the other side of the picket fence.

For many, the picket fence and lawn symbolize cozy American domesticity. Ironically, the picket fence originated as a defensive structure, protecting the homestead from intrusion. The picket fence in ‘Wave’ beckons even as it blocks an unwelcome population. Half-painted, with an open can of whitewash, the fence evokes the mythic America of Tom Sawyer while hinting at the reality of limited opportunity awaiting many immigrants.

Media: Porcelain, Wood, Paper, Sand, Astroturf, Paint     Dimensions: 12′ x 9′ x 6′     Date: 2014