Human Trafficking Set
2023
In this set, the dark and exploitative reality of human trafficking is exposed with chilling clarity. Figures representing trafficked migrants are shown in vulnerable positions, confined to dark, hidden spaces-inside locked rooms or cramped, secret transport vehicles-emphasizing the loss of agency and the danger of exploitation. Shadows and concealed compartments visually express the clandestine nature of human trafficking, where migrants are often coerced, abused, and forced into dangerous situations for profit. This set powerfully illuminates the underworld of human trafficking networks that prey on the most vulnerable, drawing attention to the desperate plight of those caught in the system. By confronting viewers with this harrowing reality, it challenges us to reflect on the role of authorities and society in preventing and combating such crimes.
Border Wall Set
2023
This set brings to life the divisive reality of border walls and the militarization of borders, forcing the viewer to consider these barriers' social, psychological, and human consequences. Towering walls constructed from bricks or metal, accompanied by watchtowers, barbed wire, and surveillance equipment, evoke feelings of separation and confinement. Migrant figures in the set can be seen either attempting to scale the wall, hiding in its shadows or helplessly standing on its other side, all underscoring the physical and emotional toll of being cut off from safety or opportunity. Through this stark depiction, the set asks pressing questions about how borders are managed globally, the politics of exclusion, and the broader impacts on those who seek refuge or a better future but are blocked at every turn.
Migrant Boat Set
2023
This set captures the perilous and overcrowded conditions of migrant boats, where individuals risk everything to flee conflict, persecution, or poverty. Packed tightly in small, fragile boats, the figures represent people in desperate need of safety. Their faces show a mixture of fear, hope, and exhaustion, reflecting the emotional weight of their dangerous journey. The set includes dramatic details like rough waters, a night-time backdrop, and stormy skies, amplifying the life-threatening dangers faced by those at sea. By highlighting these harrowing sea crossings, this set brings attention to the real-life tragedies that unfold in bodies of water like the Mediterranean, where lives are often lost in the pursuit of a better life.
Migrant Raft Set
2023
Smaller and more fragile than the boat, the raft in this set symbolizes the desperation and vulnerability of those who undertake life-threatening journeys with no choice but to rely on makeshift, unstable means of transport. Made from basic materials like wood, plastic, or scrap metal, the raft emphasizes the extreme risks involved in migration when resources are scarce. Figures aboard the raft appear tense, clinging to each other for support, with few provisions and no certainty of survival. The set captures the stark reality that these migrants are often forced to place their trust in a fragile vessel, confronting not only the threat of drowning but also the isolation of being adrift in an unforgiving environment. It draws attention to the lack of basic support systems, making it clear how perilous the journey can be when no other options exist.
LEGO Immigration Series
2023–present
As an immigrant, empathy and reflection are the foundations of my artistic practice. Immigration is not just a political issue—it is a deeply human experience shaped by stories of hope, resilience, displacement, and survival. In my LEGO Immigration Series, I use the universally recognizable medium of LEGO bricks to create accessible, interactive artworks that explore the harsh realities of migration—from human trafficking to border walls and perilous journeys in search of safety. A significant aspect of this series is my intentional mimicry of official LEGO-produced sets, which includes the design and creation of custom LEGO-style packaging. Each set is showcased in a carefully crafted LEGO-style box, emphasizing the unsettling contrast between consumer-friendly entertainment and real-world crisis. By imitating the visual language of mass-market toy sets, I underscore how these traumatic realities—typically distant and abstract—are repackaged into something familiar and accessible. This compels viewers to reconcile the innocence of play with the gravity of humanitarian crises, making the experience profoundly personal and impossible to overlook. The LEGO Immigration Series consists of four distinct sets, each representing a different aspect of the migrant experience. Migrant Boat depicts overcrowded vessels filled with desperate passengers, capturing the dangerous sea crossings undertaken by thousands in search of safety. Migrant Raft portrays even smaller, more fragile watercraft, emphasizing the makeshift nature of many migrant journeys and the life-or-death risks involved. Border Wall serves as a stark representation of barriers, division, and exclusion, challenging the viewer to consider the impact of militarized borders on human lives. Human Trafficking Set exposes the dark realities of exploitation, confronting the hidden networks that profit from the vulnerability of displaced individuals. Each LEGO set in this series serves as a storytelling device—a fragmented yet tactile representation of lived experiences. Every brick embodies a choice, an obstacle, or a moment of survival. Through play and participation, both adults and children engage with these complex realities, transforming passive observation into active reflection. My work is more than just an artistic statement; it is a call to action. It asks us to rethink not only how we perceive migrants but also how immigration policies, surveillance, and systemic control shape their fates. The LEGO Immigration Series urges us to examine these structures and, most importantly, recognize our shared humanity. Through play, we can construct more than just models—we can build understanding, empathy, and change.