From the First Painting to the First Exhibition

I started working on this series in 2024.

At first, I simply wanted to paint stories inspired by my grandmother and the world she once lived in. I didn't know where the series would lead, or whether it would ever become an exhibition.

With every painting, I learned something new.

I became more confident with colour, composition, and storytelling. Every canvas taught me something different, and every painting carries its own emotion. Some feel quiet and nostalgic, while others feel playful, thoughtful, or full of life.

Looking back now, I realise that the series grew alongside me as an artist.

As the exhibition came closer, however, excitement slowly turned into nervousness.

After spending so much time painting these works in the privacy of my studio, I suddenly had to imagine strangers standing in front of them. What if nobody connected with them? What if they didn't understand what I was trying to say?

Those thoughts stayed with me until the opening day.

But something changed as soon as the first visitors arrived.

The moment I started talking to people, my nervousness slowly disappeared.

For the first time, I was able to openly share my paintings with complete strangers. I could explain the stories behind them, answer questions, and hear what they saw in the works.

What surprised me most was that everyone experienced the paintings differently.

Some people told me they felt a sense of calm while looking at them.

Others connected with the stories because they reminded them of their own grandparents or family memories. A few visitors became emotional as they spoke about grandmothers they deeply loved and missed.

Some simply walked into the gallery, spent time quietly looking at the paintings, and before leaving, thanked me for brightening their day.

Others stood in front of a painting much longer than I expected, noticing details I thought only I would see.

Those conversations became one of my favourite parts of the exhibition.

They reminded me that once a painting leaves the studio, it no longer belongs only to the artist. Every visitor brings their own memories, experiences, and emotions, creating a new story that I could never have imagined myself.

That was one of the greatest gifts of my very first exhibition.