Tommy Man is a New York-based artist from Hong Kong.

During his residency, Tommy Man created a wooden flag artwork inspired by an abandoned utility pole on the Yavapai Reservation. The piece, placed at the U.S.–Mexico border, explores how different communities perceive borders and nationhood. Conversations with a Native American and a Mexican immigrant shaped his understanding: for nomadic Native peoples, borders were once irrelevant, while for immigrants, crossing them is a struggle. Reflecting on Hong Kong’s unique identity, he considers how societies strive to move beyond imposed boundaries. The flag’s gradual decomposition symbolizes the impermanence of nations and borders. Tommy plans to document this process through monthly photographs, emphasizing the work’s evolving meaning.