Collection Insight: Fragment

Overview

Fragment is an exploration of the fractured yet resilient nature of survivorhood. It’s a raw and honest look at how we piece ourselves together after trauma, offering moments of hope alongside the pain. Through this collection, I invite you into the layered experience of survival: an ongoing process of reclaiming and rebuilding.

Shells as Metaphors

A recurring motif in Fragment is the shell—an object commonly tied to summer, lightness, and childhood. Yet, for me, the shell carries a different weight. Each one was formed by a creature that is no longer alive. In a quiet, bittersweet way, they remind me of bones: remnants of something that has passed, slowly returning to the earth to support new life. Shells, like the fragments of my childhood, are broken and worn, yet they still hold a certain beauty in their decay. This collection uses the shell as a metaphor for how the broken pieces of my past converge, shaping a fragmented yet cohesive sense of self.

On Hope

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Fragility, Strength, and Openness

These pieces embody the idea that even in brokenness, there is potential for wholeness. Though fractured, the shell-like forms adorning the surface of the base contribute to a unified structure that stands tall with quiet pride. The cups, poised and ready to receive, rise from a foundation that, while rocky, still supports openness. This subtle tension between fragility and strength highlights the possibility of finding balance and beauty—even after the most imperfect beginnings.

Healing

These vessels embody hope and renewal, with their forms marked by both vulnerability and strength. My finger marks have torn and punctured the surfaces, exposing the mossy green interiors—symbols of growth beneath the surface. The Growth Vessel is adorned with textured shell motifs, a visual representation of resilience, while a new cup emerges from its side, signifying the potential for rebirth.

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In contrast, the Let the Light in Vessel features a fresh, vibrant white glaze with swatches of pink and blue, evoking a sense of renewal and possibility. Both pieces remind us that, even with the wounds of the past, we have the capacity to grow, evolve, and transform.

On Pain

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Tools of Survival

In contrast to the optimism of the other works in this collection, these pieces reflect a more sobering reality. Each dish holds a single shell fragment, symbolizing one of three virtues: strength, determination, or resilience (or all three). These virtues are the survival tools we cling to in times of hardship, the traits we rely on to make it through tough moments. But while they help us navigate the stormy seas of childhood and trauma, they often aren’t enough to fully prepare us for the complexities of adulthood. The fragments in these dishes speak to the limitations of these coping mechanisms—they’re only one part of the whole. We need more skills to thrive, skills that come from safe and loving attachments. Sometimes, the experiences that don’t kill us don’t necessarily make us stronger—they simply leave us hurt.