In 2020 I had to distinct honor to collaborate with MOAS (Migrant OFFSHORE aid station) realizing an exclusive collection of artworks inspired by MOAS activities in support of their campaign for Safe and Legal Routes.
proceeds from the collection were donated to support MOAS ACTIVITIES INCLUDING THEIR PURSUIT FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF SAFE AND LEGAL ROUTES.
BREATH OF EXPOSURE
Student Visa
Access to education is life-changing, offering an opportunity for both economic stability and self-expression. Education visas are a critical pathway to ensuring a full, vibrant future through exposure to new thoughts, places, and ways of thinking. Education visas are bursting with the potential of profoundly impacting the individual, their families, and future generations.
Vie SICURE E LEGALI
2020 MOAS SAfe and Legal ROutes CAMPAIGN
Safe and Legal Routes offer hope and opportunity for some of the world’s most vulnerable people living in unthinkable situations. Children see the world through a less complicated lens, without politics and power struggles. I love how this piece expresses children enjoying the simple joys of colorful of balloons. There is a balloon for each of the seven Safe and Legal Routes highlighted in this campaign plus one for hope.
SOUND Emergence
MEDICAL VISA
Breaking through the barriers and limits of a sheet of glass, this Oxblood colored butterfly now has access to all She needs for a safe, and healthy life. I imagine a world where access to needed healthcare is not limited by seemingly insurmountable barriers and intractable politics.
#NDTDAS
2020 MOAS SAFE AND LEGAL ROUTES CAMPAIGN
While researching safe and legal routes I was moved beyond words time and time again by images of barely sea-worthy boats in the open ocean overflowing with desperate hope. Each of the 756 butterflies on this piece were placed with deep love and intension as a reminder that Nobody Deserves To Die At Sea. These 6 words are found deep in the ocean of this piece and are only subtly seen from certain angles and in certain light.
INGRESSION
HUMANITARIAN CORRIDORS
HUMANITARIAN CORRIDORS PROVIDE SAFE AND LEGAL PATHWAYS FOR MIGRANTS TO ENTER A NEW LIFE, WITH ACCESS TO OPPORTUNITIES TO STABILIZE AND A LIVE A SAFE AND SOUND LIFE.
INGRESSION (ĭn-grĕsh′ən) NOUN
1. the act of going in or ENTERING 2. the right to ENTER 3. a means or place of ENTERING entryway.
A humanitarian corridor is a type of temporary demilitarized zone intended to allow the safe transit of humanitarian aid in, and/or refugees out of a crisis region. Such a corridor can also be associated with a no-fly zone or no-drive zone.
NOT A QUESTION OF WILL
Humanitarian VISA
Humanitarian VISAs offer a Safe and Legal pathway for people to escape war, violence, and persecution. This piece is inspired by the tragic reality there are far more migrants in need than there are VISAs available. While this is a more explicit depiction of the situation, every person has the desire, will, and ability to ‘fly’ when conditions are adequate.
charting promise
WORK VISA
Availability and access to legal work visas is critical. Work visas are an opportunity to use skills and education to benefit both workers and employers. Not only are work visas a pathway to residency, they create a stake in building a stable, secure community while contributing the stability of workers and their families.
VEILED PASSAGE
2020 MOAS SAFE AND LEGAL ROUTES CAMPAIGN
In this piece the grace and fragility of the butterfly against the sharp edges and tricky pathways of the shattered glass represent the beautiful, courageous migrants and their oftentimes harrowing journeys in search of a better life. It is both representation of their efforts to escape undetected, and a reminder to advocate for safe and legal migration.
MOONLIGHT REQUISITION
2020 MOAS SAFE AND LEGAL ROUTES CAMPAIGN
A moonlight requisition is defined as: A stealthy, inconspicuous theft committed in the middle of the night. Access to Safe and legal routes would help eliminate the need for asylum seekers to steal away under dangerous and illegal circumstances.
Power in WE
Private Sponsorship
Private Sponsorship is an intimate opportunity to blur the lines constructed between self and other. Implementing solutions and laws which will allow those who are able and willing to participate provides not only an elevated life for the receiver, but also the giver.
CLEAR PARTING
2020 MOAS SAFE AND LEGAL ROUTES CAMPAIGN
CLEAR PARTING IS A SIMPLE AND HOPEFUL REPRESENTATION THE MIGRATION PHENOMENON WITH AVAILABLE AND ACCESSIBLE SAFE AND LEGAL ROUTES IN PLACE.
WAITLINGS
Family Reunification VISA
Oftentimes those who find their way to safer, more sustainable lives in other countries cannot fully immerse themselves in their new lives until they are certain their families are safe and sound. The difficult and lengthy process to safely be reunited is shown here with butterflies who have made it passed the barriers tearfully waiting for loved ones to join them.
