Assumed Identity

[qbox title1=”Assumed Identity” title2=” “]This body of work  consists of mixed media and photo-based images which explore autobiographic issues related to my cross-cultural adoption and my experience as an Asian American. Asian American adoptees experience almost total immersion in American culture. But in a multi-cultural society increasingly concerrned with developing pride in one’s ethnic heritage, cross-cultural adoptees broken link to their ancestry, culture and tradition sometimes create a web of contradiction and confusion regarding identity. Some works explore the loss of ethnic culture and genetic links using grids to show my fragmented past; others use grids to blend together photographs that document the love and devotion experienced with my adoptive family. Autobiographic images of a loving home environment are juxtaposed with images showing my conflicting feelings in perceived societal pres-sures to reconnect ties to the country of my birth and to my birth mother, and the frustration of being assumed a recent immigrant based on my ethnic heritage.[/qbox]

Assumed Identity

Assumed Identity

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C-print triptych,   65 x 17.75 in.

© 1997 Susan Sponsler

All American Girl

All American Girl

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C-print, 17 x 24 in.

© 1997  Susan Sponsler

Crossing Cultures

Crossing Cultures

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Silver prints, 22 x 14 in. diptych

© 1997 Susan Sponsler

In Search of American Eyes

In Search of American Eyes, front panels

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36 in. diameter, 8x 10 in. artist’s book, metal and acetate sheets

© 1996 Susan Sponsler

In Search of American Eyes

In Search of American Eyes, outer panels

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36 in. diameter, 8x 10 in. artist’s book, metal and acetate sheets

© 1996  Susan Sponsler

Family Tree Quilt

Family Tree Quilt

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55 x 77 in. cyanotype on 100% cotton muslin

© 1996 Susan Sponsler

41 Days 

41 Days

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Forty-one 6.5 x 6.5 in. silver prints

© 1999 Susan Sponsler

They Are All Loved the Same Quilt

They Are All Loved the Same Quilt

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55 x 77 in. cyanotype on 100% cotton muslin

© 1997 Susan Sponsler

She’s A Citizen Now

She's A Citizen Now

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three 11 x 14 in. prints; 11 x 42 in. installed

© 1997 Susan Sponsler

Baby Book Series, No. 1

Baby Book Series, No. 1

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Silver prints, 35.375 x 10.875 in. triptych

© 1997  Susan Sponsler

Baby Book Series, No. 2

Baby Book Series, No. 2

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Silver prints, 35.375 x 10.875 in. triptych

© 1997  Susan Sponsler

Baby Book Series, No. 3

Baby Book Series, No. 3

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Silver prints, 35.375 x 10.875 in. triptych

© 1997  Susan Sponsler

Baby Book Series, No. 4

Baby Book Series, No. 4

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Silver prints, 35.375 x 10.875 in. triptych

© 1997  Susan Sponsler

Baby Book Series, No. 5

Baby Book Series, No. 5

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Silver prints, 35.375 x 10.875 in. triptych

© 1997  Susan Sponsler

Baby Book Series, No. 6

Baby Book Series, No. 6

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Silver prints, 35.375 x 10.875 in. triptych

© 1997  Susan Sponsler

motherless/mothered

motherless/mothered

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silver prints, 5 – 11×11 in. prints or 33 x 33 in. total

© 1997 Susan Sponsler

All American Girl II

All American Girl II

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Four 17 x 24 in. C-prints

© 1997  Susan Sponsler

Piecing Together Our Histories: A Korean Adoptee  Quilt

1999

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60 x 70 in. cyanotype, 100% cotton muslin

Korean American Museum permanent collection, Los Angeles, CA

© 1999 Susan Sponsler