Sonja John's 'Balikbayan' at Katonah Museum of Art Explores Migration and Home
Sonja John's artwork, titled 'Balikbayan,' is on display at the Katonah Museum of Art in New York, running until January 24, 2027. Situated in the Pollack Family Learning Centre, this installation draws from John's own journey in New York City and her family's ties to Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, and the Philippines. It delves into themes of migration, cultural identity, and family legacy. Using collage, stencils, and light, the piece contrasts architectural and botanical elements, encouraging thoughts on how Caribbean identities are influenced by memory and history. The exhibit also celebrates the creativity of immigrant communities, exploring the links between migration, agriculture, and environmental changes, while inviting visitors to partake in mixed-media activities and a collaborative light project. Ultimately, it prompts a fresh look at the concept of home as a fluid interaction of memory, identity, and surroundings.
Key facts
- Sonja John's 'Balikbayan' is a site-specific installation at the Katonah Museum of Art in New York
- The exhibition remains on view until 24 January 2027
- It is presented in the museum's Pollack Family Learning Centre
- John draws on her New York City experiences and family connections to Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, and the Philippines
- The work combines collage, stencils and light, pairing architectural structures with botanical forms
- The installation addresses migration, agricultural practices and environmental change
- Visitors can engage through mixed-media activities and a collaborative light installation
- The exhibition frames home as an evolving relationship between memory, environment and identity
Entities
Artists
- Sonja John
Institutions
- Katonah Museum of Art
Locations
- New York
- United States
- New York City
- Jamaica
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Philippines