Sweet Reconciliation

This project, Sweet Reconciliation, is an edible art installation created to process and heal from childhood trauma, specifically focusing on my complex relationship with my mother. Growing up in China, I was pressured to excel in math and other 'elegant' pursuits like playing the violin, despite my deep love for drawing. The project reflects my personal journey of overcoming these challenges, using baking as a medium for expression.

The soft layers of the sponge cake symbolize love and self-acceptance, which helped me rebuild my self-confidence and pursue my dream of becoming a designer. The cake's decorations serve as visual representations of the steps I’ve taken toward healing, reminding us that personal growth often arises from our most painful experiences.

Through this process, I also reconciled with my mother, who, for the first time, apologized for the physical and emotional hardship I endured as a child. This conversation became the final layer of healing, much like the icing on the cake.