From a young age, my sister and I shared a running joke about our elusive racial identity. When questioned about our race, we would playfully assert that we belonged to the category of "other." This jest was rooted in the reality that our racial background was seldom acknowledged in tests or governmental applications. Our very existence seemed akin to a mirage, something unrecognized within the confines of the educational system, a subtle form of whitewashing.

The series "Other" serves as a visual narrative reflecting the essence of this joke and, more significantly, the ambiguity that defined our understanding of race while growing up. The images were captured using 35mm color film, each frame submerged in a unique concoction referred to as a "film soup" for 24 hours. This soup, infused with bleach chai and half-and-half creamer, metaphorically represents my biracial identity, blending elements in a manner that echoes the complex interplay of my Indian heritage.

Through this series, I aim to convey the profound impact of the 'other' label on my siblings and me. It speaks to the absence of clear answers regarding our racial identity during our formative years, leaving us to navigate a world where our heritage existed in the nebulous realm of the undefined. The images encapsulate the emotional journey of seeking recognition and understanding in a society that often overlooks or simplifies the complexities of individual identity.