Painted entirely in Procreate, this 36 x 48 in. poster and accompanying video serve as an exploration of my family’s ancestral connection to Sicily. Having previously explored familial roots on my mom’s side, this piece was a learning experience for both me and my dad. Although we hadn’t traditionally cooked Sicilian food, arancini sounded like something we would all enjoy and appreciate. Through our choice of ingredients, we were able to grow closer as a family while also putting our own twist on the worldwide phenomenon.

The poster’s design highlights the messy cooking process we engaged in while making the dish, and it being an oil painting pointed to the island’s artistic history in religious painting. It also references my grandma’s crafty personality, which can be seen in the torn pieces of paper placed on top that she hand-wrote. The red and blue pattern on the plate, as well as the colors throughout, point to both Sicilian pottery and their flag. The video focuses on the journey of our cooking and working dynamic to the finished, delicious product.