White (Including Middle Eastern Origin), 2017. Toned paper, polypropylene. 20" x 24"

I frequently use my cultural heritage as a source of inspiration for my art pieces. I feel a sense of divide when it comes to my culture because I am Middle Eastern and White. Despite these races and cultures being drastically different, they are lumped into a singular category: White (including Middle Eastern origin). This racial category is used on every official document I've ever signed. It brings me to feel washed out and unseen. I know the difference between being white and Middle Eastern. The culture, the language, and the people are drastically different and it feels like my Middle Eastern culture is reduced to a parenthetical sub-category. This piece represents my frustration in taking my culture back and having it be recognized as a race on official documents.