Flying Luggage, Collaborative work with fellow artist sanjeev maharjan, 2010
This collaborative installation addresses the mass movement of people around the world. The wings carrying the luggage represent the limited material world one is reduced to surviving in when ones home and livelihood is threatened.
In the early 1970's several thousand Bhutanese citizens that came from Nepali origin were made to the country. Over night, more than 100,000 ethnic Nepali's fled Bhutan out of fear- fear of being killed, raped looted and separated from their families. In August 1972, the large influx of refugees from Bhutan compelled the Nepali government to set up refugee camps. With restrictions such as not being able to gain employment, these refugees survived on humanitarian aid. Having lived here for more than 30 years, the camps have become a safe haven for the refugees. A place where they have developed friendships, created families and have lived in peace and harmony. In 2009, the Bhutanese refugees were allowed to be "resettled" in seven countries in the West. The chance to resettle in a country which they can finally call homes is exhilarating. They take with them a suitcase full of belongings, photographs and traditional food in small packets which they can use when they go back home. They sit on the aircraft and fly with their dreams of becoming someone. But the memories of family, friends and the camp which they called home is powerful and large, that it is beyond the realms of what their suitcase can carry.
This installation was created for the event “Under one sun festival”, celebrating 60thanniversary of UNHCR- the
UN refugee agency.