" I’m from a working-class background – I had free school meals all my life and then spent six years in art school. "
- Cornelia Parker

In her statement, Cornelia Parker outlines a significant part of her life journey, starting from her humble beginnings through education. She mentions receiving free school meals throughout her schooling years and later attending art school for six years, highlighting both the economic challenges she faced early on and her dedication to pursuing an artistic career despite those obstacles.

The quote delves deeper into themes of perseverance and the value of education as a means of personal transformation. Parker's admission about relying on free school meals underscores her working-class origins, which might have limited opportunities for upward mobility. However, by emphasizing her commitment to art through prolonged formal training, she illustrates how dedication and hard work can lead to significant achievements despite initial hardships. This perspective challenges the notion that socioeconomic background is an insurmountable barrier to success in creative fields.

Cornelia Parker is a renowned British artist known for her conceptual artworks that often incorporate elements of transformation and memory. Her statement reflects not only her personal history but also broader societal issues related to class, education, and artistic endeavor. Through her work, she explores how objects and spaces can hold profound meanings beyond their physical presence, echoing the transformative journey she describes in this quote about her own life path.