I guess I never planned to study physics or become an artist; I grew up in a unique place that taught me a lot. I wanted to do something to understand my struggles but also to create something that helps people and leaves a legacy. This was always on my mind while growing up. In college, I was split between arts and science. I studied both Fine Arts and Physics in college but I thought physics would be more insightful in my understanding of life, so I did that.
It was not until my final year that I had a profound moment that changed the path of my life. I was ill for a period of eight months and I spent the majority of my time at home. This was the moment I decided to make art again for therapeutic reasons – more than for a career. So I guess you can say I discovered art and then lost it, but art didn’t let me go.

Those moments in my life really showed me all sides of life, it was important to experience that. Not only it gave me something to make art about but also motivated me to give my all and show raw emotion in my work. I feel like I lived through a thousand lives and I carry that with me with each new work I make. I don’t forget the people I met, the conversations I’ve had, etc. These shine through in all my work.

Architecture is dominant in my work, so I can understand the definition of utopia and modernism. However, these ideas of modernism and Ancient history aren’t really about the architecture for me, but more about how space is used and created by the people within these structures. How the shadows and lights create an atmosphere, and how people are navigating these spaces. The structures I create are just the stage for these battles to be laid bare. By battles, I mean the people, shadows, movements and colour. To create this, I need to have an open approach and study these contrasting ideas.

I do respect a lot of artists and architects. However, my main source of inspiration is everyday life: my experiences, the way people communicate and objects I find on the streets. These are all very inspiring for me. I also get inspiration from books and movies; it can be a short sentence or a short scene that jogs my mind.

There isn’t a deep meaning behind the use of pink but I do need a powerful colour to break up the darker tones, and pink is the right balance to achieve it. I guess I also want to break the misconception that pink is gender specific. The colour also creates continuity in my work, which is also important.

The use of silhouettes in my work is really to keep the identity and gender of the characters neutral. I wanted the viewers to make their own mind up regarding those aspects, and also not to judge the work based on gender or race.

There is a sense of nostalgia in them, especially in my darker pieces. It relates to moments in my life, most of which have happened during the crack of dawn. I remember vivid details of those moments, so I try to amplify that to the viewer. I feel that during sunset there is a unique chemistry in the air; it’s a signal that the day is ending. In these pieces, I need some sort of closure.

What I meant by that was that the way people were functioning in these places may look chaotic from an outsider’s point of view; however, for me, it felt good to be around this energy. Everyone trying to build and grow. No one was in standstill. This gave me courage.

For sure, it was in my dark times when I felt extremely anxious. Art gave me an escape. I was humbled that my mind was able to calm itself with focus and creativity. I felt a sense of purpose, something to show for all those dark thoughts I had.

It would definitely be to not worry about failure if you never reach your expectations because they are just abstract thoughts in your mind. Reality is always different from that. Living in the present and building from there is the best way to approach it. When I was younger, I was obsessed with success and I didn’t realise that the key to unlock this was right in front of me this whole time, and I just failed to notice it. I realised it’s about what I leave behind and what I create that is worthy of remembrance more than just being successful now.

At the moment, it is about really improving my craft but also to holding my first solo exhibition in London. The next stage is to build some of these pieces into installations so the viewers can experience them more physically. I’m still learning, so I study every day like it’s my first day creating art. I’m hungry to learn more.