In 1982, I was working as a waiter while attending art classes at the Art Students League in the evenings. Most of my colleagues in the kitchen and dining room were Indonesian. I was deeply impressed by their intelligence, generosity, and sharp sense of humor. At that time, digital transfers were not an option for sending money home, so I decided to return to Indonesia on their behalf. Traveling through the island of Java, I visited their families, delivering money, photographs, and stories from their loved ones in New York.

One family stood out with 14 siblings. Unsure of how to connect with them, I asked if I could paint a portrait of their father who was the spiritual leader of the community. This moment became a turning point—it was the first time I realized I could use my artistic skills to create meaningful connections and build bridges across cultures.