Floating Choices
This digital illustration, created using Adobe Illustrator in A1 format, visualizes the emotional and psychological state of youth grappling with the difficult decision of whether to remain in their homeland or seek better opportunities abroad.
The artwork depicts a businessman in a suit, holding a briefcase, lifted by a red location pin-shaped balloon - a universal symbol of place and movement. Suspended mid-air, the figure embodies the tension between belonging and departure: neither fully grounded nor entirely free, he is caught in a state of in-betweenness. His expressionless face emphasizes the universality of this experience, transcending personal identity and resonating with countless individuals in the Adriatic-Ionian region.
Through a minimalist and conceptual approach, the illustration captures the fragility of rootedness, the weight of aspirations, and the forces - both internal and external - that shape young people's choices. The stark contrast between the isolated figure and the white background reinforces the sense of uncertainty and the solitude often felt in such life-altering moments.
By participating in this competition, the artist contributes to the broader dialogue on migration, identity, and belonging - inviting reflection on what it means to call a place "home" in an increasingly interconnected yet challenging world.
