*Title: By The River*
*Date: March 2023*
*Dimensions: 16 × 20 inches*
*Medium: Acrylic on Canvas*

My work triggers many to ask these questions:

"Must your figures be naked?"

"What are you trying to accomplish with having nudity in your work?"

Some reactions are that of disgust and most often are uttered with hostile judgement of my morals.

In that moment, it is hard for me to explain the reasons why I have chosen to illustrate the figures in the nude. I knew it would entail a long debate as I would be challenging the foundations of their worldview in this matter. And I am not one for confrontation.

But in this safe space (my studio), I can share that I did not choose to incorporate the nude figures to be trendy by adding the sexual element so my work will reach more views.

It has a personal meaning to me, and my life's struggles.

I was a sickly child. Constantly riddled with the flu, allergies, canker sores, skin sensitivities that caused intense itching, etc. And wearing clothes aggravated my condition. So as a child, I grew to hate wearing clothes. I got away with it for a time, going around shirtless. But as my womanly features started to develop, this privilege was revoked.

Due to my weak immune system, wearing underwear resulted in intense heat and friction rash. My body was constantly sore from all the scratching I did in my sleep. I would be covered in bandaids to keep the wounds from getting infected. I grew up in a household that didn't believe in going to the doctors. Also, there was no money for doctors as the family could scarcely put food on the table during the 1997 crisis. We had gone from a wealthy family to paupers overnight and the road to financial stability was a long one.

My health condition only worsened as time went by.

Slowly, the physical pains grew too much for my mental. I could not deal with the constant physical distress any longer. I started allowing myself to be naked when I am alone in my own room. The sense of relief and soothing calm washes over me every time I am able to lock myself in my room.

As the condition worsened, I started going braless when I was out and about.

The society I was living in saw this act as my way of getting attention. But I was just being kinder to my body. Not letting it suffer more pain from the heat and friction clothes incur.

Though I try my best to explain my reasons, my words landed on already-made-up minds. My explanations were seen as excuses. The world saw me as a vulgar woman trying to tempt danger.

"She wants to look sexy".

"She wants to attract men".

When truly, all I wanted was to stop the pain.

At the beginning of my art journey, I mirrored this transition too.

When I started incorporating figures into the composition, they were fully clothed.

*Title: A Night - A Chance*
*Date: 2016*

Then, as I honed my art style, the figures naturally morphed as I did - representing my true self and the space I am in.

In this art space, in this safe haven I have created for myself, I am free to be as I am.

This space is my antidote to the depression and anxiety the world doused me with.

It is a space where I can heal and forget the physical and mental pains.

It is a space where I can be true to myself and feel some form of serenity and happiness.

It is a space where a more positive outlook on life is nurtured and such emotions can thrive and combat what is waiting out in the world for me.

So, it is only natural for the figures in my art composition to represent the space we are in.

The characters in my narratives are free.

There is no judgement in this world created.

There is no fear.

There is only the story that is what it is.

It is understood.

And it is embraced with love.

Symbolism: Why The Nude Figure?

Symbolism: The Mandala

Character Inspiration