This body of work, Divergent, was developed for ‘(in)tangible’, a group exhibition at Canberra Potters in 2022.

In the months leading up to this exhibition, I was diagnosed with ADHD. Reflecting on my life through the lens of ADHD was incredible and quite enlightening. These small pots were my hyperfocus project as I reflected and worked through this new/always present ‘thing’.

As well as processing my adult ADHD diagnosis, I’ve been making these pots as a way to process trauma. I’ve been looking into polyvagal theory and how the brain reacts to certain situations for self-preservation.

According to polyvagal theory, the automatic nervous system can be broken down into the following:

Ventral vagal: rest and digest. Social engagement - safe, calm, relaxed, balanced.
Sympathetic system: fight or flight. Surveillance - poised, alert, ready, vigilant.
Dorsal Vagal: the lizard brain. Fail safe - freeze, retreat, shut down, disassociate.

what a relief
to discover
the aches i thought
we’re mine alone
are also felt by
so many others
- Rupi Kaur