same same but different

[This was an assignment for a class. As the final assignment, we had to do a family portrait. I chose to do it on one of the most peculiar relationships of mine within my family; my brother and i.]

artist statement:
This documentary is about my brother. No, no, it’s about me. But I talk about my cousin a lot. So, it’s about him?

My family/self-portrait is a reflective piece on my relationship with my almost-estranged brother as well as my cousin, who’s the first baby I’ve ever gotten to hold.

Many people don’t know I have an older brother and while I don’t keep it a secret; I rarely think of myself as someone’s sibling/sister. So, a lot of people assume I am an only child. I don’t think of myself as a younger sibling because I’ve always had to be alone or my personality has never given me a chance to act like the rowdy second child. 



My cousin, Swapnil, has always given be the opportunity to be the older sibling. I’ve always been close to him; in vicinity, in age and in relationship.Thinking of this, I put myself in my own brother’s shoes and wondered; does he wish for all the things for me as I do for Swapnil?