Allyce Waby
University of Lincoln

Allyce chose to create a story book that encapsulated the idea of transformation and used the phoenix as a symbol of this. 

Delving into the journey of personal growth and development through the intertwined paths of a young girl and a phoenix, ‘From the Ashes’ illuminates the universal themes of hope and the power of self-discovery, with illustrations created using burnt matchstick ends.

By immersing themselves into the story, readers are encouraged to think about their own journeys and opportunities for growth. 

When the book is finished being read, it is then meant to be burnt. With the material of a matchbox striker on the spine, the act offers as a profound metaphor for embracing transformation. 

“Just like the phoenix is reborn from its own ashes, the book represents the act of letting go and the physical embodiment of past struggles.”