Homesick

An Exhibit by Karen Anastos

Homesick is a way for me to process longing for my family and home back in Misawa, Japan. The last time I visited Japan was in August of 2019 and I have been unable to return due to the ongoing pandemic. It has been almost 3 years since I have been able to physically spend time with my family. Since I grew up on a military base in Japan, I never moved from Misawa until I left to go to college in Missouri. I know that small town like that back of my hand.

For this exhibition, I channeled memories of the things that I miss most about Japan and that the United States cannot offer me. The food, traditions, festivities, and most of all, spending time with my family. My mother, who is Japanese, makes me feel most at home in Japan.

 Longing for the familiarity and the traditions that I have always been rooted in, I created these pieces to manifest memories that I can’t tangibly get to. I experience feelings of missing home and oftentimes do nothing about it but creating pieces for Homesick has allowed me to process the inner turmoil I had not yet addressed. I am excited for the day I can return to my home in Japan and spend time with my family again.

Karen has since been able to return to visit her family in Japan in July of 2022.