WELCOME TO
(2023)
"Welcome To" is a projection installation that examines the profound impact of racial discrimination and systemic inequalities on everyday life. Inspired by a harrowing experience during a drive from Columbia, Missouri, to my hometown of Pearland, Texas, "Welcome to" serves to remind viewers that even in contemporary times, navigating through certain regions as a Black woman can evoke fear and trepidation.
Through this piece, I set out to convey the profound unease and anxiety that arose when I realized my GPS had chosen a route through sundown towns in Arkansas, rather than my familiar path through Oklahoma. As a young Black woman, the specter of sundown towns — places historically known for enforcing racial segregation through violence and intimidation after sunset — cast a chilling shadow over my journey.
The installation centers around a clear screen positioned on a stand, symbolizing the windshield of a car, while a projector casts a series of evocative visuals. Through the use of footage depicting dark, winding roads, "welcome to" signs from towns my GPS intended to route me through, and haunting imagery of eyes, the artwork immerses viewers in an emotive exploration of a profoundly personal and socially significant narrative.