‘The Bhutanese Rapunzel is a poignant tribute to the challenges faced by international students who come to Australia seeking opportunities. For many, this journey is a stark transition from a life without struggles for food or work to one marked by financial stress and emotional hardship. Moving to a new country far from family to pursue dreams can be isolating, a reality painfully clear during COVID-19 when many international students faced homelessness…
– Sonam
- Title: The Bhutanese Rapunzel
- Artist: Sonam
- Year: 2024
- Medium: Appliqué and thread on fabric
In this artwork, the Bhutanese house has no doors, symbolizing the sense of entrapment young people in Bhutan often feel due to limited opportunities. Surrounded by flowers, the house emanates comfort, yet this comfort is stagnant, mirroring how safety can restrict growth without pathways to the outside world.
Like Rapunzel, the figure in my artwork uses her hair to escape, a powerful metaphor for her desire for freedom and self-discovery. The night sky represents dreams, while her flowing hair intertwines with the phrase, ‘Sonam, Sonam, let down your hair and we shall go catch our dreams but don’t get lost and don’t lose your home,’ symbolising the struggles endured in pursuit of these aspirations.
As the Bhutanese Rapunzel leaves her familiar home, she faces financial pressures and the constant threat of homelessness. Many students are burdened by rules limiting their working hours, high university fees, and the obligation to send money back to their families. There is a common misconception in Bhutan that living in Australia equates to wealth. This misconception adds further strain on students who struggle to meet their own needs while supporting their families. Pink represents the innocence of young students, many of whom arrive in Australia in their early twenties or even younger, all on their own.
Rapunzel, trapped in her tower, symbolizes those who long for a broader life yet find themselves restricted. A ribbon draped from the window signifies the dreams of those who hoped to make it to Australia but became entangled in obstacles like visa or family issues, preventing them from seeking new horizons.
Bhutan is depicted as a peaceful, beautiful place where life with family is slow and fulfilling—vastly different from the challenges encountered in Australia. Yet, despite these hardships, there is a deep love for this opportunity; overcoming the hurdles here strengthens one’s ability to achieve anything, embodying resilience and hope.’
– Sonam