PORTFOLIO

My work initially emerged as a response to trauma and a pathway toward healing. In this painting, I confront the idea of “a room of one’s own”, a concept inspired by Virginia Woolf. Woolf’s discourse on the necessity of personal space for creative freedom and self-expression profoundly influenced my reflection on the spaces we occupy, both physically and mentally.
My shift from exploring themes of sexual violence and trauma to the concept of “Her Room” reflects an evolution in my artistic journey. For years, I avoided representing my trauma in my work, choosing instead to paint ‘happy,’ sometimes meaningless, subjects. At the end of last year, I decided to use my work as a means to process and confront deeply personal wounds from sexual violence. The pressure it held on me became overwhelming, and I sought a form of therapy and release—not realising at the time it would be the greatest decision I ever made. Painting myself has helped me love my body and overcome the weight of that experience.
As I’ve progressed in my healing, I’ve found myself ready to address other facets of my life, particularly the complex dynamics of familial relationships. This shift didn’t happen sooner because I wasn’t yet prepared to face the emotional intricacies involved, especially the loss and unresolved tension with my twin sister. Now, with time and distance, I can approach these themes with the emotional clarity needed to fully engage with them in my art.
This painting represents my ongoing dialogue with my past, particularly my tumultuous relationship with my sister. Over the past two years, following a painful rift, I have grappled with the loss of her presence in my life. She was, and still is everything to me, an extension of myself. This painting is an attempt to navigate that loss, portraying the shared yet fragmented experiences that define our relationship. The title, “Her Room,” reflects this. While I occupy her space physically, having moved into her room after she left, emotionally, it remains hers. This painting is not just about reclaiming space but also about acknowledging the void left by her absence and the complex emotions that come with it.