Rivka Cocker illustrates the struggles of being an outsider during her time in America.

 

 

These collages are a personal reflection of my experience moving to Oregon and depict navigating a new culture, homesickness and physical/mental health hurdles. 

 

 

They challenge the notion that a year abroad must be ‘the best experience’ of your life and make fun of American pride whilst highlighting the violent, racist, far-right reality of this country. 

 

 

The concept of masks is significant to me as by assimilating to American culture, I often feel like I am masking my own culture and suppressing my identity. In other situations, my Britishness acts as a more visible mask, othering me from this “sweet land of liberty”.