"བསོད་ནམས / Sonam" is a short video with personal momentos that reflect on pivotal turning points in Lama’s life that give a lens to what children of immigrants, and specifically daughters, can relate to.

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Project Statement:

This project is the story of identity in the midst of cultural assimilation. Broken into 4 different acts, it’s about the journey Sonam Lama has taken thus far as a daughter of immigrants with indigenious Nepali roots. Lama grew up in an extremely religious Buddhist household with Indigenous Nepali values and traditions. The experiences she had at school and western society clashed with the ideologies she was taught at home. Lama has always struggled with her identity because of pressure from both worlds and myself. Through a display of old film photos, home video tapes found in her family’s camcorder, and present day moments, this project is a reflection of Sonam Lama.

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Artist Statement:

Sonam Lama is an indigenous Nepali-American. Born and raised in Queens, NY, her work is influenced by the diverse cultures, communities, and stories—specifically the stories of immigrants and minorities. Whilst being an American, Lama has also had the passion of staying true to her indigenous roots. Her works in the past take inspiration from her two worlds, which take the form of a video game that takes place in her family’s village, Melamchim Ghyang, a 360 VR video about high fashion, and an animation about the lengthy process of immigration that’s often confusing and debilitating. Lama’s experiences with and exploration of her identity have led to a deep interest in creating multimedia works that reflect how cultural assimilation and balance of identities impact communities of color, specifically children of immigrants and first generation Americans and college students. Lama’s works touch briefly on niche topics that cultivated her identity, including: religious superstition and girlhood. These themes create an experience and life particular to the one that Lama grew up in but many can relate to. Lama also strives to create works that give a lens to the hurdles that are specific to her community such as generational poverty and migration. By doing so, she hopes to create a space both off and online where others feel encouraged to connect back to their roots, something that Lama is still trying to do.