Collages by PyLynne Myers

My work explores and reflects on my biracialism and the conflicts created from my multicultural upbringing. I was born in the United States and am half Thai and half Caucasian. Growing up, I always felt like I was being pulled in two directions. While away from home, I realized more and more that I did not belong. At school, I looked different from everyone else because I was one of the only Asian kids; it did not matter that I was only half Asian. I did not think it was fair that I received judgment because of the color of my skin, but I learned to deal with it. 

To the other Asian kids, I was not Asian enough because I couldn’t speak Thai and I was not Buddhist. To the white kids, I was not white enough because my skin was a few shades darker and I did not have an American name. I felt that I had a lot of shared experiences with other kids and identified with more of my white side. Whenever I said this, people would be shocked and say, “But you look more Asian.” Because of these types of experiences, I found it hard to form my own identity and instead found it thrust upon me.  My current work explores my struggle to find my identity within the realization that bi-racial people navigate the world differently.  

Find more of Myers work @pylynneart on Instagram.