stories behind art: Gentle Embrace

Arguably, all art is personal, especially when it comes to abstract art. But today I wanted to share a story behind Gentle Embrace, a painting that I am deeply connected to.

A word of warning: this letter will go into topics of loss and grief. If you’re feeling sensitive at the moment, you might want to skip it.

One of the last things I remember about my mother is the big hug she gave me while seeing me off at the airport. I didn’t understand then why she was so upset, more than usual, about me leaving. It wasn’t the first time we were saying goodbye, and I told her it’s not the last one, either. But I guess a mother’s instict is never wrong, and it did turn out to be the last hug she ever gave me after all.

It’s now been seven years since she passed, and while I’ve learned to live with grief, to think back to our days together as happy, joyful moments, I often look back to that day, and it’s as if I feel her hug every time.

My mother’s arms were always soft and gentle. They felt like a safe space that I could hide away in when I felt scared or anxious, but also a space I could turn to to just feel loved. They made me feel like a child in a way that only a mother could.

I knew I needed to capture this feeling, to visualise it, to bring it to life, while it was still strong within me. This is how Gentle Embrace was born.

This painting invites you to fall into the curves of colours, creating a space for you to dream and forget your fears. It’s going to be a bittersweet goodbye when it finds its home, but I know it will bring the new owner the comfort they seek.