Winning the competition :

Focusing on my hometown of Cambridge, My memories here are tinged with difficult times; Particularly the many hospital visits with my brother Josh, during his battle with liver cancer. This left a lasting impact on my perception of ‘home’. Those early experiences shaped my view of the city, as my memories became intertwined with hospital visits, the sterile hallways, and the constant worry that filled those spaces.

It felt more like a backdrop of difficult times. This early association created a deep, often subconscious, feeling of detachment and negativity toward my surroundings. This was the initial inspiration that I developed to draw from and put into a design.

The city itself feels divided, something I wanted to convey in my line work. with a lack of community and a lot of focus on status and academics. Being creative and having struggled academically, I always felt out of place here. I didn't want my label to simply represent Cambridge; instead, the label needed to reflect the disjointed and distorted view I had. I titled it ‘How’s Home?’—a question I’m often asked, to which I typically respond, ‘The same old.’ The label encapsulates my answer- the artwork is misshaped and deconstructed. However, by approaching it with a fresh, innovative perspective, I aim to cast a more positive and creative light on my past and 'home.’