Norajean Ferris

This piece was created from my urge to show the complex issues surrounding U.S. immigration. Many immigrants coming from hostile situations have been fed the myth that America (the land of opportunity) is the safest country in the world. However, the reality is quite the opposite, and many immigrants are subjugated to acts of bigotry by the U.S. government, which is steeped in issues of the most immoral injustice. Languages: French, Spanish and English

marker, pastel, ink 51 x 72 2020

Since the birth of the American nation, the indigenous people of this land, have been subjugated to disease. This piece shows how these forms of devastation have either been l committed by, and or, ignored by the corrupted systems of government within this nation. Languages: English and Kanien’keha (Mohawk).

marker, pastel, ink 44 x 60 2020

A piece that depicts the current breakthroughs in police units across America, in the aftermath of the murder of George Floyd: groups of police jointing protests that fight to end actions of police brutality toward communities of color.

marker, pastel, ink 44 x 60 2020

Documents the unjust killing of George Floyd.

pastel, pen, marker, ink
44 x 60
2020

The piece depicts the conversation between two New York police officers (one black, one white) as they fight to use their friendship as a tool for action against the constant recurring waves of present day police brutality, that is happening across the American nation.

marker, pastel, ink 44 x 60 2020

At many airports across America, individuals fleeing from war torn counties, arrive in this country without any resources, completely alone and terribly afraid. This piece shows a young African refugee, crying before social workers, speaking of his loss and terror. The creation of this work, stemmed from my desire to bring awareness to this heartbreaking issue, that is currently far too present in American societies. (Languages: Swahili and English).

marker, pastel, ink 44 x 60 2020

Throughout much of my work experience, I have had the opportunity to work with many immigrants from different countries. While I was a bakery associate at Sam’s Club, I met many people from the Middle East. This piece depicts one of my former co-workers giving information to a customer in her native language Arabic. I wanted to depict this scene within my work, as a way to erase the notion (held by much of the American public) that immigrants are foreign invaders that seek to bring destruction to American culture.

marker, pastel, ink 22 x 30 2020

This piece depicts a scene, that is far too present within my community of Portland Maine, the ever escalating rise in homelessness, that occurs not only in my city but across America. However, the present crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic has caused this population to be more vulnerable than ever.

marker, pastel, ink 22 x30 2020

This piece shows the current outbreak of protests across America, protests that fight to restore the presence of education in the mist of the COVID-19 pandemic.

marker, pastel, ink 22 x 30 2020

A depiction of how many immigrant children throughout Maine and America, struggle to English in our current educational system. Languages: French, Arabic, Haitian Creole, Sudanese and English

marker, pastel, ink 22 x 30 2020

Depiction on how prejudices toward the “other” have not disappeared, but have shifted and grown throughout groups, religions and ethnicities in American societies. Languages: Arabic and English

marker, pastel, ink 22 x 30 2020

A piece which questions who and what is an immigrant in the diversity of modern American society.

marker, pastel, ink 22 x 30 2020