Karin Bar

"Return to Sender" is an exhibition that explores the complex and often heartbreaking experience of refugees, displaced persons, and immigrants in today's world. Drawing inspiration from my family's history - including my Italian grandmother's tragic loss of family in the Holocaust and my Moroccan grandmother's difficult decision to leave her home behind - I aim to shed light on the political and social realities that drive so many people from their homes.

I draw attention to the humble bags accompanying these individuals on their journeys, often smaller than a typical shopping bag, yet holding all their worldly possessions. Through my use of artificial intelligence and photography to shape the visual elements of the work, I have created a striking color palette with plastic textures that capture the feeling of both despair and hope. I use mixed media collages in this exhibition to create images of people crossing borders, waiting in refugee camps, and sleeping on the streets.

"The American dream is only for some," I note in the exhibition. "Some don't have the privilege to dream of it." With "Return to Sender," I hope to challenge the viewer to confront the realities of displacement and immigration, empathize with those forced to leave their homes, and ultimately advocate for a more just and compassionate world.