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Before leaving the house, everyone checks to make sure they have the essentials; phone, wallet, and keys. The brand of phone, case accessories, style and size of wallet, and what we keep on our key chain, each reflect our individuality. In a series of photographs, I created a portrait of my family at our dinner table, in our typical seating arrangement. Although its all the same three items arranged the same way, its obvious just how personalized and unique they, and subsequently we, are.

Canada. Not only our home and native land, but also a diverse multicultural land.

Due to COVID-19, I could not explore the multicultural life in the cities. However, when in doubt, Google is your best friend in this case. The translated script of O Canada is based on research about some of Canada’s top non-English speaking immigrants.

Each line in the script except for the first and last has been translated into some of Canada’s top non-English immigrant languages. Read it first, carefully and figure out what languages the lines are. DO NOT use Translate…it’s cheating.

When thinking about which direction to choose, regarding the objects themselves, I decided to make magnets, as they were something my family used to collect when my brother and I were quite young. Upon deciding on magnets, instantly I knew themes of home, and family would inform the content of my artist multiple. When I think of my family, I think of them as a system (a set of things working together as parts of a mechanism or an interconnecting network) of support ( source of security, comfort, assistance, or encouragement). In terms of construction, I decided to go the route of textiles. Though not typically considered sturdy, or “supporting,” I have lately found solace in my embroidery hobby, with a thread, some fabric, and a needle. Funnily enough, I realized that magnets themselves act as a literal support system to the memos, photographs, and various items they hold secure to a surface.

In this difficult time of social quarantining, support systems become all the more relevant. Whether it be a new hobby or passion, your family, or your chosen family, everyone needs support. Let these artist multiples be a reminder to virtually check in on your loved ones, and to support high-risk individuals by staying home. Thank you all for a wonderful semester, I wish you much love, health, and safety.

Isabella De Tullio

PS I apologize for the dirty, gross fridge in my student house.