Threads of Belonging

The need to reconnect with my roots always brings a wave of memories — of identity, belonging, and everything that shaped me.
Though I love where I live, it’s through Brazil that my creative energy finds its true rhythm again. Brazil is vibrant, colorful, and alive — and I strive to channel that pulse into everything I create. That’s where my essence lives: in the rhythm, in the energy, in the bold, vibrant hues of my heritage.

This deep connection became the foundation for Threads of Belonging — a project that explores the immigrant journey through layered storytelling and participatory art.

Since moving to the United States, I’ve connected with many other immigrants — especially through ArtPrize — and we often share the same emotions: feeling like we don’t fully belong, navigating cultural differences, and experiencing the emotional highs and lows of starting over. After hearing so many of these stories, I felt compelled to do more than just represent them visually — I wanted to create space for others to become part of the conversation.

Threads of Belonging combines maps, collages, textures, and stitched words to reflect the layered experience of migration. But beneath it all, you’ll still find the colors of home — the colors that carry my story, and perhaps, echo yours too.

This project isn’t just about migration.
It’s about the universal human need to be seen, to be held by community, and to know — deep down — that we belong.

I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity to share this work and honored to represent the immigrant experience through my art. 💛💚💙