The artwork shows the artist's face made up of uneven blocks. These blocks, different in size and texture, come together to create a self-portrait, but they give a feeling of unease rather than harmony. The cracks between the blocks suggest a struggle to stay whole. This piece reflects the artist's experience as a migrant in Cyprus. The different blocks represent the challenges he faced, like learning a new language, adapting to new customs, and making new connections. Just as the face in the artwork is made of mismatched pieces, the artist’s identity as a migrant is a blend of his Zimbabwean roots and his new life in Cyprus, also represented by the diverse colors reflecting both places. The animated blocks capture the ongoing process of adjusting and finding a sense of belonging in a new place. The painting highlights the importance of embracing the environment we live in for personal growth and the shaping of our identity.

About the Artist

Cissh (1998) is a multidisciplinary artist from Zimbabwe. Growing up in Harare, frequent relocations and a close bond with his brother sparked his passion for art. Inspired by his brother’s early art success, Cissh was motivated to follow a similar path, expressing himself and discovering his unique voice. His art combines traditional Shona carvings with social issues like migration. Cissh’s creative process involves translating life experiences and emotions into art using diverse materials and techniques. Now based in Cyprus, his recent work—shaped by his migration experience and the Diaspora EU Vote exhibition—explores themes of family, psychology, love, and poetry, reflecting his Zimbabwean heritage. Despite challenges in integrating into the local art scene, Cissh aims to celebrate multicultural experiences and create opportunities for fellow Zimbabwean artists.

The painting is animated by Eisa Baddour (1991), a multidisciplinary Syrian artist who combines visual design, architecture, and performance art installations to drive social change. He uses digital tools to explore migration, inequality, and environmental sustainability topics, encouraging conversations on social issues and fostering reflection, empathy and action.