Layers of Home
Sissel Marie Morley
Bachelor of Architectural Design | Griffith University
“My work explores the deep connection between **country** and **nature**, layering personal and collective memories to reveal how identity is shaped by place, history, and belonging.”
MATERIALS: Clay
Artist Statement
This Living Belonging explores the deep connection between country, nature, and identity, reflecting on how both physical and emotional landscapes shape our sense of belonging. Inspired by personal experiences in Alphaville, São Paulo, Brazil, and Currumbin Waters, Queensland, Australia, the work layers natural materials, mirroring the way memories accumulate over time. Clay, sourced from the land of the Yugambeh people, serves as an archive of memory, preserving traces of the past while grounding us in the present.
Each imprint captures the evolving bond between people and place, reinforcing connections to culture, family, and nature. Through its layered composition, the work reveals the interwoven relationship between home and identity, where nature holds stories of resilience, adaptability, and continuity. Using traditional clay techniques, it transforms a physical space into a deeply personal and collective experience of belonging.
Synopsis
This Living Belonging explores the deep connection between identity, memory, and place. It reflects on how landscapes, both physical and emotional, shape our understanding of home. Rooted in personal experiences from Alphaville, São Paulo, Brazil, and Currumbin Waters, Queensland, Australia, the work captures the layers of personal history that create a sense of belonging. The layering process mirrors how memories build up over time, showing our relationship with the land and what we call home.
Each layer holds an element from nature, creating a tangible link to the environment. The textures of wood, leaves, shells, and clay reflect both personal and universal stories of home and identity. The clay acts as a time capsule, with each layer preserving memories, forming a strong bond between identity and home. Clay, taken directly from the land, holds traces of the past while grounding us in the present. It becomes an archive of lived experiences, capturing the passage of time.
Every imprint, every texture tells a story of resilience, connection, and transformation. By using traditional clay techniques, the work honours Country and the history embedded in natural materials. Clay serves as a bridge between generations, cultures, and places, reinforcing the enduring relationship between people and the land. This artwork invites people to engage with nature, to reflect on their own memories of home, and to see how landscapes shape who we are. Through the layering of materials and memories, this work transforms a simple physical space into a deeply personal and collective experience of belonging.
