My favorite type of art to create is art with social context to raise awareness, work that invites viewers to question and reflect on realities that are often overlooked or normalized. I’m drawn to art that doesn’t just exist for aesthetic pleasure but carries intention: it points toward social issues such as inequality, environmental responsibility, identity, displacement, or collective memory, without needing to be overt or didactic.

I find inspiration in the intersections of lived experience, cultural tradition, and community connection, and a deep sense of social responsibility. Stories of migration, ritual, resilience, and everyday human interaction inform my work, reminding me that identity and belonging are both personal and collective. Guided by a balance of self-directed learning and academic exploration, my practice weaves intuition with critical reflection, allowing theory and lived reality to inform one another.

I would use the money for essential foundations of my artistic practice. A primary portion would go toward securing rent for my studio space, where I can continue creating without interruption and invest in art materials and supplies needed to sustain ongoing and future projects. In addition, funds would be allocated for the transportation and shipping of artworks to exhibitions, allowing my work to reach broader audiences and participate fully in professional opportunities.