From paintings to poems, several students on campus have found a way to create art that connects back to their community, using brushstrokes and stanzas to highlight cultural roots and showcase their background.

When it comes to the work of visual sophomore Karishma Koodie, weaving Indo-Caribbean cultural elements into several of her art pieces is how she reflects her background. To display elements of her identity, culture, and community, Koodie “incorporates meaningful themes, symbols, and tradition” into drawings and acrylic paintings.

“Sometimes I focus on the people who shaped me, especially my elders, the vibrant colors of the Caribbean, and use adornments to tie my heritage together,” Koodie said. “Painting intricate rubies, golds, and emeralds inspired by Indian jewelry reminds me of the richness of the past while remaining timeless statement pieces in the present.”

Koodie’s father is from Trinidad and Tobago, while her mother is from Guyana, with both countries sharing large populations of Indian ethnic groups whose ancestors migrated in the past. Today, Indo-Caribbean cultures continue to celebrate traditions with origins in India. According to Koodie, her parents were descendants of Indian indentured laborers who were brought from India to the Caribbean in the 19th century.

“When I think about that, I realize that their journey over a century ago has shaped the foundation of my life, and without them, I would not be where I am today,” Koodie said. “Growing up, I’ve been exposed to a mix of Caribbean and Indian traditions, including certain foods, clothing, and celebrations.”

According to Koodie, her artwork has been a way for her to connect with close family members to learn about what it was like to grow up in Guyana and the history of the country.

“A few years ago, I interviewed my great-grandfather, who told me about his family history and experiences growing up in Guyana,” Koodie said. “I often use those ideas and stories as inspiration, which allows me to feel more connected to the (Indo-Caribbean) community.”

For the piece that “best represents” her community and background, Koodie chose a graphic novel she illustrated this year for her Advanced Placement (AP) Drawing class. The piece explores Koodie’s struggles with explaining her Indo-Caribbean heritage to others. In the excerpt, Koodie sketched “dotted lines connecting India to British Guyana and Trinidad, old family photographs, and a frame documenting (her) great-grandfather’s family history.”

“Art allows me to tell stories of where I came from and showcase how my roots have influenced me today,” Koodie said.

Perseverance Through Poetry

Born in Venezuela, communications senior Nathalia D’Agosto moved to Florida when she was five years old. According to D’Agosto, her childhood was “never dry in terms of heritage,” growing up surrounded by her culture’s music, food, and spirit. Located in South America, Venezuela is known for its arts, including the Romantic literature genre, heroic and religious themes in visual paintings, and folk music. 

“My family instilled the importance of speaking Spanish and keeping my Latin culture close,” D’Agosto said. “It means everything to me.”

Creative writing is D’Agosto’s “main focus” in her major, such as crafting poems and performing in slam poetry, and she currently serves as the fundraiser coordinator for the Slam Poetry team. Her poetry is “often based on reality” while her prose is “more fantastical.”

“In poetry, I connect my Venezuelan and immigrant heritage in a way that raises awareness to topics I feel strongly about,” D’Agosto said.

During her junior year, D’Agosto worked on what she considered her “most culturally rich piece,” a slam poem titled “Mi Libertad at the Cost of Others.” D’Agosto says her poem echoes the experiences Venezuelan people underwent as conflict spread across the nation under a dictatorship.

“I took what I felt and created a piece about what my own family went through,” D’Agosto said. “My people faced extreme poverty and scarce resources, while also battling violence from authority and deadly protests. I wanted to speak out and shine a spotlight on my family’s bravery.”

Whether it is D’Agosto discussing her experience as a Venezuelan-American in her poetry or Koodie exploring her mixed background in her paintings, both artists unveil their stories and identities through their respective mediums. 

“I love when people are proud of where they’re from,” D’Agosto said. “Culture and identity is truly one of the most sacred and beautiful things about humanity.”