transient

transient is a collection of three flag books by Sarah Matthews, printed using Sintra relief and screen printing. The work explores her experience growing up as a military child—constantly moving, rarely staying in one place for long.

The title reflects both movement and impermanence. transient becomes a metaphor for the feeling of being connected and disconnected at the same time: learning how to adapt, trying to fit in, and never fully settling before the next change.

Each book focuses on a place that shaped her sense of identity: Manhattan, New York, where she was born; Misawa, Japan, where she also lived for five years; and Brevard, North Carolina, where she lived for five years.

Together, the three flag books form a visual and tactile map of memory, place, and what it means to grow up in motion.

Edition of 1.