Doll of Inheritance
Sarah W.
Mixed media sculpture using fabric, jade charms, beads, porcelain fragments, painted resin hand
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My sculpture is a reflection of how I perceive my childhood relationship with my culture. Growing up, that connection often felt heavy and painful, so I created a doll that bleeds the very fabric weighing it down. I sewed on beads with Chinese designs and broke a porcelain saucer to form a jagged crown, symbolizing both beauty and fracture within cultural identity. Although my background once brought confusion and hurt, I’ve gradually found strength and understanding, realizing that these experiences are inseparable from who I am. The nail beside the doll is inspired by the Nkisi Nkondi sculptures of the Kongo people, where inserting a nail was believed to grant healing power. The doll’s reaching hand seeks that nail—seeking healing, reconciliation, and self-acceptance. Through this work, I explore how pain and heritage can coexist, transforming struggle into resilience and growth.
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To me, creativity means turning feelings and memories into something others can see and feel. It’s how I translate emotions that are too complex for words into drawing and sculptures. Creativity allows me to question, to connect, and to discover new meanings in both beauty and discomfort.
