22/01/2026
I was there, I am there, and I will be there.
An installation/3D art, almost life size (approximately 110 m (W suitcase) x 80 cm (Depth) x 200 cm Floor to hanging female figure) of found objects, old textiles, plastic saran wrapper and adhesives, other art materials, and dried plants and flowers grown by the artist in her garden. It includes an ophthalmic, auditory and olfactory elements.
“I was there, I am still here, and I will be there.
I was a wondering wanderer in a sweeping meander
I have gazed and gazed at, marveled by the beauty and ugliness of life
I have met my equal who would have tamed my unbridled being
Becoming a begetter
A mother
A trailing spouse
A homemaker
A creator
Becoming… boundless!”
The suitcase in this art piece is not merely a symbol of migration, travel, or adventure; it also serves as a profound metaphor for the burdens and treasures we carry through life. It embodies the essential items, memories, and significant experiences that shape our journey of transition. As we navigate pivotal moments in life, the suitcase becomes a vessel of transformation—holding our fragile selves as we seek growth and change, while ultimately preparing to release the next generation into the world, allowing them to begin their own unique journeys.
The art piece is composed of three distinct sections:
1. The Left Section: A melancholic figure wrapped in a crocheted shawl, embroidered with images. The shawl offers comfort, representing the warmth of connection and memory. A stereoscope with reels that will allow an onlooker to view the phases of life before the migration. This compartment can be gently opened, revealing intricate tableaux of cherished memories from the youthful past that gives comfort to a morose soul.
2. The Right Section: A cabinetry that holds essential items acquired throughout migratory travels—tokens that tell stories of different phases and places. Among these items is a playlist of songs that served as the soundtrack of the journey, each melody encapsulating a moment of inspiration and resilience during times of change.
3. The Centerpiece: The crocheted shawl flows seamlessly, transforming into a fabric that envelops a butterfly-winged figure—a representation of the artist’s ongoing transformation. The butterfly embodies both fragility and strength, illustrating the metamorphosis into a new self. The fabric leads towards the present, grounding the figure in its current settlement while simultaneously projecting visions of a hopeful future. It is an image of both transition and settlement, symbolizing resilience and forward-looking aspirations.
This piece is deeply autobiographical, capturing the artist's own journey. Mylene (AKIN), a trailing spouse, migrated to Belgium five years ago in the summer of 2019 with her Belgian husband and three sons—third-culture children whose lives span multiple cultural influences.
“I feel less anxious now than I did during my first three years as a migrant in Belgium. I often remind myself that my situation, despite its challenges, remains more fortunate compared to many Overseas Filipinos who are living in a paradoxical nature of life. My life is shaped by the struggles I witness around me, as well as my own hardships, and this inspires me. I hope to use my art as a vehicle for change."
Before this chapter, Mylene was an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW), performing as a Singer- entertainer, Feminist-Activist, Friend, Sister, and Daughter. Each role, each experience, is stitched into this piece, narrating a story of transition, identity, and the resilience needed to thrive across worlds.
January 2025
