In 2005, I traveled to Colombia for the first time in seven years due to my immigration status. During this trip, I met Maria, a university student in the city of Bucaramanga. In 2007, I traveled to China with my friend Gerardo. Our first stop was Hong Kong. We couldn't sleep because of the jet lag, so we decided to go out instead. We tried different bars until we found one playing Western music. We headed to the bar first, ordered two drinks, and then my friend went to the bathroom. I was left at the bar alone when someone tapped me on the shoulder from behind and said, "Eres Camilo?" I was in shock. Many questions rushed through my mind in a few seconds. Wait, they speak Spanish here? Someone knows me here? Not possible, I'm in Hong Kong. I turned around, and it was Maria. I couldn't believe it. The chances of running into someone I knew from Colombia in HK, I estimate, could be 1 in a 8 billion. We were super happy to see each other, but that quickly changed.|

"So, what are you doing here?" I asked. "I'm working here. I'm a sex slave," she replied. I couldn't comprehend her answer well. "Yes, I was brought with the promise of a modeling gig. When I landed here, they took away my passport, put me in a small room where they inject me with narcotics, rape me, and beat me whenever they want. And here I am, disguised in the crowd, working." I immediately offered my help. She got nervous and begged me to please leave. "They are watching us right now. Don't worry about me. Very soon, I will escape."

This story stayed with me for years. One day, during a long airplane flight from London, with my eyes closed, attempting to sleep, the idea for this artwork was born. I grabbed pen and paper and sketched it out. This piece was created in honor of Maria and all 49.6 million people living in modern slavery today.