Curated by Simeen Anjum
This exhibition, featuring a collection of self-portraits by Sam Marroquin, Ketzia Schoneberg, Khytul Abyad, and Lou Blumberg, explores the complex relationship between individual and collective identity. Challenging the idea of the self as a distinct, isolated entity, these works reveal how personal identities are not singular but are deeply interconnected with the broader social and cultural contexts we inhabit, suggesting that we are part of a larger whole—much like items that are not meant to be separated from their collective context.
The artists invite us to consider how our emotions, experiences, and sense of self are shaped by the communities and environments around us, emphasizing that we exist and feel together. Through these pieces, the exhibition reflects on the parallel nature of individual and collective existence, encouraging us to rethink the boundaries between self and society.
As part of the exhibition, I aimed to increase accessibility and engagement by offering a variety of hands-on learning opportunities. Guided walkthroughs with the artists allowed visitors to connect directly with the creators and hear firsthand about their work and processes. I invited the artists to lead workshops that encouraged personal reflection and creative exploration. Ketzia Schoneberg hosted a mixed-media workshop on “Identity as Material for a Studio Practice,” while Lou Blumberg facilitated a journaling and papier-mâché session, building upon their own sculptures featured in the show. Sam Marroquin led a collage-making workshop titled “Buying Into Identity,” which explored the intersection of identity and consumer culture.
Additionally, I created an interactive space titled “What Has Shaped You?” inspired by Sam Marroquin’s Dwelling collages. This activity invited visitors to reflect on how their identities are shaped by relationships, experiences, and memories. Participants were encouraged to create self-portrait collages, using images and objects to represent different “rooms” of their being—each room symbolizing a unique part of their story. Through this creative reflection, visitors had the chance to explore how their personal histories, relationships, and experiences come together to form the complex and ever-evolving picture of their identity.
Littman Gallery, Portland OR, USA
27 January, 2025 – 4 April, 2025
simeenanjum.com 