Flo Oy Wong, “My Mother’s Baggage: Paper Sister / Paper Aunt / Paper Wife,” 1998

mixed media - suitcase, scanned photo images, magazine text

Page 2 of “My Mother’s Baggage: Paper Sister / Paper Aunt / Paper Wife,” which consists of 6 suitcases, ranging in size. 

Collaged Text: “My mother and sisters were interrogated at Angel Island “Have you ever been married” my mother was asked “no” she answered “Are you engaged to be married?” "No." My mother replied. My half- sister was asked "are you sure that the woman with you at this station is your father's sister?" "yes." My half sister replied. "Isn't she your step mother?" "No." Somehow the interrogators finally believed my mother's and half-sister's testimony and released them for admission into the U.S. It was sister umber 2 who convinced the interrogators.