In the Image of Those Before me

2025

Ceramic, Glaze, Chain, Pendant

Our assignment was to create a self-portrait. As someone with a strong interest in family history and genealogy, I saw this as an opportunity to explore the different cultures and heritages that make up my identity.

I specifically wanted to include Polish motifs because, although Polish ancestry makes up a significant part of my DNA, I haven't always felt closely connected to the culture growing up. My Jaja (great-grandfather) was from a town near Poznań, Poland. During World War II, he fought with British troops in a Polish unit and moved to England after the war. His history wasn't something he liked to discuss, so it wasn't passed down to my mother or to me. Recently, my Nana (grandma) connected with a cousin through Facebook, whose father (my great-grandfather's brother) survived the war—something we didn't even know. With this new connection, I’ve felt a longing to learn more about the family that came before me.

I also needed to include my Celtic heritage, which I owe to my Nana 2 (great-grandma), who was from Cork, Ireland. Growing up, I felt the strongest connection to my Irish heritage, thanks to the traditions and recipes that have remained significant in my family, as well as having a Gaelic name. Finally, I included a Bavarian motif for my German side. Living in Wisconsin has made it easy to feel connected to my German heritage, and studying German for almost eight years has enhanced that connection. Although my German ancestry is a bit further back on the family tree, it remains equally important to me.

This piece is not only a reflection of who I am on the outside but also on the inside.