“feeling free inside oneself is being free” (rei kawakubo)

coming from a middle class asian background I had to push a lot of boundaries, overcome a lot of resistance to be able to pursue a career in the arts. over 20 years ago it it was not the norm for an asian girl to study anything art related. it was expected to either become a doctor or a lawyer. I ended becoming a dentist, which I felt was a happy compromise. I could still be creative and be in a medicine related profession.

over the years, the desire to create has become stronger and stronger, where eventually I enrolled on an arts related part-time degree. the degree helped me to validate my creativity and allowed me to believe in my artistic soul. I would practice dentistry in the day and draw in the evenings, whilst raising two young children single-handedly.

being a creative soul is not something you choose, it’s an inherent part of your dna. it becomes a part of your identity. it is who you are. when you acknowledge who you are, you find peace within. I have acknowledged who I am and am guided by my inner soul. I still practice dentistry because I love interacting with patients and solving problems. I also choose to be an artist and use my creative voice to express how I connect with the world.