Growing up in a first-world country, Vanessa has always been baffled by how privilege shapes one’s livelihood just because they were born into it—how she has a roof over her head while others endure the effects of war. This led her to examine class privilege in Singapore, a nation that prides itself on meritocratic principles where ‘as long as you put in the work and effort, you will be rewarded.’ However, this narrative overlooks the fact that individuals begin life from unequal starting points. In The Uneven Starting Line, Vanessa highlights this disparity and brings this issue to the forefront of people's minds in hopes of forging a more empathetic and equitable society. This theme is being expressed through textiles inspired by everyday life in Singapore, featuring writings and high- and low-class markers rendered in a scrappy, expressive style through painting, applique and embroidery.