My work is inspired by the tension I felt between wanting to create freely and feeling the need to justify what I make. I have often questioned the value of my own creative ideas, and whether others will understand. This series became a way to explore those doubts and make art about ideas and concepts that matter to me.

Through colourful self-portraits, I have chosen to explore the historical distinction between fine art and craft, and the gendered expectations that have shaped how each is valued. I raise questions about who has the authority to define art, and why certain forms of creative expression are considered more legitimate than others.

This hierarchy continues to influence how art is perceived today. Work associated with femininity is frequently dismissed as decorative or ditzy, as though beauty and domestic craft cannot coexist with artistic intention or intellectual depth.

The ornate gold frames are an intentional extension of this challenge. Traditionally associated with the presentation and preservation of valued artworks, they position these colourful, craft-inspired photographs within the visual language of high art. The frames do not simply contain the work; they question the standards used to decide what deserves to be exhibited, taken seriously, and encouraged to exist.

Beyond questioning how art is judged, the work also considers how that judgement affects creativity itself. When women are made to feel that their ideas are silly, unattractive, or not serious enough, they may become reluctant to experiment or create at all. I want this work to encourage the freedom to try something unfamiliar, make work that might be misunderstood, and create without needing permission or approval.