I’ve been drawing since I was a little girl. For me, it was a form of escapism. To escape the hardships and realities of life. It was my safe space where I could disconnect from the outside world and process my feelings safely with no judgement or consequence.

With expression, comes strength. I understand the power of that now. In high school, I was bullied and felt like an outcast. I was always in the art room at lunchtime; writing, drawing, painting something. Looking back now, I realise that so much of what I would create was my own way of expressing how much I desired connection; to be heard, to be seen, to be understood. Today, I use art to invite others to explore their own vulnerabilities and embrace the eccentricities that make them unique. 

I always wanted to do something creative that’s why I explored fashion for some years, however, learning about the industry and the prevalence of sweatshops, I knew I couldn’t pursue a career that felt innately opposite to my core values. I am conscious of my impact and recycling. I think about the world around me. I want people to live in harmony with the world and others. This is part of the ethos I’ve built into Melinart; I use recycled paint, materials and brushes as often as possible.