● u n r o o t e d ●

September 15, 2025 by Rubynnastory

Have you ever felt that you are neither there nor here? That you don’t truly belong to the place that should be your home?

Earlier this year I had the opportunity to be part of a group exhibition in the Mango Art Festival. The collection called ‘unrooted’, is a timeline of my relationship with my home country, Thailand. I am a product of a 3rd Generation Thai Sikh family living in Thailand. We don’t know any other home than Bangkok and we don’t have family anywhere else in the world. Yet every time I enter this country, my identity is questioned. Every time I start a new job, I am looked at as a foreigner rather than a local. It has its perks and its downsides.

Even though our world is divided by borders, our shared global history has led me to see the cultures of neighbouring countries as seamlessly connected, much like the roots of different trees. The lifestyles of several neighbouring countries, while distinct in infrastructure and overall identity, share deep rooted similarities in thought, feel and soul.

This collection explores and deconstructs our behaviour based on our preexisting conditions from social conditioning. How my fellow Thais will question my identity and no matter how integrated I am within the society and culture, I will probably never fully belong.

I’ve always drawn trees, especially the roots, only to realise why I do so recently. The roots of the trees are firm and grounding allowing them to stand tall. They offer shade, shelter and food for certain animals, all while blooming beautifully. I think I’m a little jealous. A tree can endlessly give and still stands strong. I love to give, it brings me joy, but it does drain me at times.

My roots are not as firm nor twisted into the soil as majestically. My heritage is from a country that doesn’t actually exist anymore. I was born and live in a country that doesn’t believe I belong because of appearance. Amongst the trees is where I feel most comfortable. I almost want to be wrapped around the firm roots of the trees. They truly do have so much strength.

This journey is about uniting communities while balancing the different facets of their lives. About creating firm roots and uplifting those who flourish, even without a place to fully call their own. You inspire.