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The spaces we perceive as home—private and intimate settings where we establish relationships with family and neighbours—are invariably shaped by external factors, including the surrounding environment, landscape, infrastructure, culture, and political conditions. When tensions arise within these spaces, they often serve as catalysts for decisions to leave, driven by the pursuit of a better life. It is essential to recognize that each individual holds a unique understanding of ‘home,’ and the decision to depart is frequently less a matter of personal desire than it is a response to limited access to a dignified livelihood.

In contexts where larger systems, such as capitalism, exert control over the dynamics of our living environments, the labour of individuals within smaller, domestic spaces is frequently devalued or dismissed as unproductive. This systematic neglect exacerbates the vulnerability of these spaces. Consequently, the challenges that arise become highly intricate, and the prospect of resilience becomes daunting, if not impossible, when faced alone. Thus, fostering collective understanding and mutual support becomes imperative to engage with these issues more meaningfully.

Through the 'Pergi dari Rumah' (Leaving Home) project, my intention is not to reopen old wounds but rather to invite a reexamination and critique of past events, identify similar issues that persist today, and to reflect on how we can address these problems within today's context. A crucial question that arises is how to engage in this process of re-reading events without exploiting feelings of grief or trauma. One of my efforts is to explore how the medium of embroidery functions not only as an artistic approach but also as a process for understanding and processing emotions. For me, emotions offer a unique perspective and narrative in responding to political situations within everyday life.