Becoming explores the invisible foundations upon which identity is constructed. It considers how our earliest experiences become embedded within us, forming the structures that support, constrain, and shape who we become. Drawing on my background in Early Childhood Studies and career in education, the work questions the systems, relationships, and expectations that are laid down in childhood, and considers how these formative experiences continue to resonate throughout a lifetime. It reflects on what is built into us before we have agency over its construction.

To me, the brick form embodies these ideas. A brick feels strong, stable, and part of the foundations, yet it also holds the potential to be toppled, cracked, or broken. Each brick is individually decorated with slips, engobes, and glazes, reflecting the unique experiences, influences, and vulnerabilities that shape personal identity.

The work is also rooted in my own history. My dad was a builder, and during my early childhood our family lived on-site while he built our home. Bricks, mortar, and construction formed part of my earliest memories. The work brings together personal memory, material process, and a wider reflection on the structures that influence how we grow, endure, and understand ourselves.