The Weight of the journey, The migration

by Dawoon Davin Jung

 

Mixed Media, 2025 -2026 

24x24

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My work explores the tension between the individual and the collective within the global migration narrative. By repurposing my son’s cherished toy soldiers and miniature cars and stripping them to a monochromatic white, I symbolize the dehumanizing nature of geopolitical policies that erase the dignity and identity of those in transit. These objects, once synonymous with the safety of childhood play, are subverted to represent a high-stakes struggle for survival.

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While rigid gold boundaries represent the forces that dictate movement, gold accents on the vehicles symbolize the internal strength, cultural heritage, and personal hope carried by every migrant. Through this juxtaposition, I challenge viewers to look beyond headlines and recognize the resilience embedded in these journeys, serving as a poignant reminder that, ultimately, we all came from somewhere.