The Great Migration

“Changing”, Multi-Disciplinary Art Installation. Findlay, Ohio

SN: 2023.21.01—12: 2023.17: 2021.04: 2020.01

Artist Statement

We're coming to a unique stop in our lives fresh out of college with a degree that we worked 4

years to get. Throughout American turmoil, a global pandemic and personal struggles, the great

migration is the manifestation of this. The Monarch is a very curious creature to us as humans.

One of the most complex migration methods in the animal kingdom and it's an endangered

species. Through the changes in our life it feels like a fitting metaphor. We have changed a lot

over the past 4 years and we have left artifacts of this messy time. Each artifact was created at

a time and space that is totally unique, influencing the result. The way that monarchs leave their

chrysalis behind as they move forward, we too leave these works behind us as we create

something new and move forward. There is no better metaphor for us as we turn the page into a

new chapter in our collective book.

Just as we are turning a new page in our books we are hoping to help turn a chapter in the

specific book of the monarch and give back to our inspiration. We will be selling the Monarchs,

go up and take one down and buy it. As this is a metaphor for the current human effect on the

species. But worry not since we will be donating half of your purchase helping the conservation of the Monarchs.

Every monarch has been handmade, and hung. Hidden inside are a few words totally unique to

that butterfly just like the real butterfly is totally unique. We wanted to share some of the

thoughts, quotes, poems and other writing and/or words that have shaped our lives. In this way

hopefully giving back by starting conversations, and inner and outer reflection. We are so happy

to have you along for this Great Migration.

We would like to clearly express that this exhibition DOES NOT, in any shape or form, utilize symbolism attached to what is colloquially referred to in the United States as “The Great Migration.” Our title is merely a reference to large movements of people throughout history, and does not harken back to any allegories of racism or the Black experience.

What is commonly referred to as “The Great Migration” within the US is the large-scale, organized movement of an estimated 6 million Black Americans/African-Americans across the country in response to the racist ideologies and propaganda prevalent during the 1900s. is movement is greatly categorized as a response to the Jim-Crow Laws between 1910 and 1970. We highly encourage all of our viewers to take some time and research more deeply about the mistreatment of Black Americans in the Midwest at the time, and many of the struggles they continue to face today.

This exhibition is NOT about that, however. As mentioned above, the title of the show is merely in reference to large-scale movements of people, ranging from the migration that took place within eastern Europe, Taiwan, India & Pakistan, the US and more. We do not mean to appropriate or make direct reference to any sort of power dynamics throughout history.

Please understand that we only reference our own lived experiences, thoughts, and feelings with the work displayed here. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us for a continued discussion on the themes expressed here.

Thank you,

Nihal Ahmed & Seth Birch