An integral part of my practice has always been repetition, repetitive actions to be precise. It is my safe space and my therapy, whether it’s hours of meticulous embroidery or drawings of different, but also very similar things.

Originating as a therapeutic outlet, my early work was an instinctual and emotionally driven compulsion, predominantly expressed through embroidered canvases. But through my education, I learned how to put more intention into my still repetitive actions.

Testing the boundaries of embroidery, a traditionally feminine craft now breaking free from confinements, I delved into the complex tapestry of mental health – a topic still shrouded in taboo within my cultural context. Embroidery, once marginalized, now emerges as an unorthodox form, challenging preconceptions.

Artist statement

I then took a more interdisciplinary approach and ventured into watercolors, a medium previously foreign to me. Beyond the personal, my art now grapples with the intricate layers of shame, specifically examining its gendered nature within my cultural milieu. Feminism, a subconscious undercurrent, persists in shaping my narrative.

Initiating my exploration of shame from a deeply personal perspective, I uncovered its pervasive influence on my life and its intrinsic connection to my national identity. Recognizing the complexity of this emotion, I chose to dissect it into three sections, with two of these materializing into separate projects.

The essence of these projects lies in unveiling the concealed aspects of shame and trauma, prompting a crucial dialogue about the intersections of personal and collective identities, the enduring impact of historical trauma, and the urgent need to break free from the stifling grip of shame.