Without Me (2025) is a series evolved from the creation of Mi Familia (2025), yet this time, my own absence takes center stage. In these photographs, I am not physically present; instead, my silhouette is digitally covered in hot pink a color deeply tied to my identity and previous works. The piece reflects a somber reflection on the question of what would happen if I didn’t exist. Would my family be whole again? Would they be happier without me? These questions echo in my mind as I wrestle with the emotional weight of feeling invisible and unimportant, as though my absence might somehow bring peace and joy to those around me. What once held cherished memories of my childhood now feels like a narrative of a version of my family that is better off without me.

​

The sadness embedded in this work comes from the unsettling realization that, in my absence, the people in these photographs appear happier. The smiles of my family members hint at a life where my existence no longer complicates or burdens them. This juxtaposition of their joy without me versus my own sense of worthlessness creates the feeling that no one would have missed me if I were gone. The number 30 in the piece represents the 30 photographs on display, each symbolizing my 30th year, the age when I hit my emotional and mental low, grappling with the loss of a relationship, my career, friendships, and the bond with my sisters. The weight of these losses made me question my existence, my worth, and whether I mattered at all.

​

The grief in this work stems from the emotional turmoil I experienced during that period, when I felt disconnected from everything I once knew. As I look at these childhood photographs now, they no longer evoke joy. Instead, they painfully remind me of the identity I lost the person I thought I was, the family I believed I had, and the life I imagined. In these photographs, I feel erased, and that sense of erasure is symbolized by the hot pink digital covering of my silhouette. It's as though I wished to disappear, just as I do in the images.     

​

To cope, I wrote a letter to myself on pink-lined paper. The act of writing became a form of catharsis, acknowledging the void I felt within myself. In the letter, I address my pain and fears, but also encourage myself to move forward with life, even if nobody else cares about me. I must care for myself now, even if I feel forgotten or overlooked. 

 

Through this artwork, I reflect on the fragile nature of self-worth, identity, and the haunting fear of being invisible hoping that confronting these emotions will bring healing and resilience. This work is not only a personal exploration but also an invitation for others to reflect on their own struggles with identity, family, and the complexities of existence.