This work is rooted in African migration, but speaks to the universal condition of movement. We are all running away from something and/or running towards something.

The Yellow Airport is a kinetic sculptural installation inspired by the airport luggage carousel. It explores migration and identity through a contemporary visual language. The project grows out of my series, Journey Mercies, which examines the lived experience of African migrants navigating systems of movement and belonging.

For many migrants, the luggage carousel is the first space encountered after passing immigration and being permitted entry into a country. For African migrants in particular, the journey through airports and immigration spaces can be tense and uncertain. Passing immigration and arriving at the luggage carousel often brings a moment of relief and a confirmation of belonging.

In this installation, painted cardboard boxes circulate continuously on a moving belt, transforming luggage into surrogate bodies that carry identity, history, and unseen personal narratives. The boxes are sealed, yet visibly present. This reflect how migrants transport culture and memory across borders while navigating systems that often render them invisible. The monochromatic yellow environment amplifies visibility and attention.

The work invites reflection on migration and the emotional weight of arrival.