The Pain of Growth

Year: 2016
 
Size: 70 x 40 cm
 
Medium: Raku firing on paper clay 
 
This piece combines experimental ceramic techniques, including a custom paper clay recipe, to depict the daily lives and emotions of female waste pickers. Developed from sketches inspired by field research, the sculpture evolved through various building methods. The design features a sculpted face inside the vessel, symbolizing the deep emotional pain shared during interviews, while stitched details further reflect this hardship. In contrast, the vessel’s exterior radiates beauty, symbolizing the positivity and happiness these women maintain despite their challenges.