Uce / Frè / Frais (fresh)

The titles are in Somaon, Haitian Creole and French respectively. On a muted aquamarine blue background, two faceless figures in colorful, layered, collaged clothing stand close. The figure on the left has their arms crossed and a wide, confident stance. The brother on the right loosely hangs his arms by his side, seeming to slightly lean forward. Uce is slang for Uso which means brother in Samoan. Similar to Fré which is Haitian Creole for Brother. Frais means fresh in French. Frè and Frais are a play on words. They are homonyms where each of two words have the same pronunciation but different meanings and origins. + It all started with the idea that we say the same things but use different words. I wanted to create images that blurred the lines of geographic regions. I wanted them to represent the celestial beings that we are. My practice recognizes the erasure of our complex histories and challenges the narrative that we are perpetual outsiders. It attempts to create the informed cultural context needed to make sense of the indigenous connection to the world, and vice versa. It’s important for me to situate counter narratives within my conceptual works. Travel is an essential part of my practice used to uncover new perspectives outside the occidental paradigm. As a conceptual artist, whose works are fused through collage, the layering process mirrors our intersectional identities. + Personal Story Behind “Uce”: Having immigrant parents meant they worked a lot and weren’t home. My older brother became a surrogate parent being 7 years older than me. He was much more “Americanized” than my parents and exposed me to Hip Hop. I remember him just playing “parents just don’t understand” by DJ Jazzy Jeff and Fresh Prince Spring 1988. Our parents were a lot more strict and sheltering than our friends’ parents and the song really resonated with him. I would not be the person I am today without my brother, my frere, my Uce. When I got old enough I began to wear his clothes. Baggy clothes were in style so it was okay that the clothes were oversized. He could own garments that were fancier than the clothes my parents were willing to buy. From Polo to Versace, to windbreakers to oversized flannel shirts to timberland boots and sweaters around the waist. My brother exuded cool and I was along for the ride. He was born and raised in Haiti and seemed to have lived two distinct lives at such a young age. He was wise beyond his years even as a kid. We shared stories through fashion and music. I couldn’t have chosen a better protector for this journey we call life.