Azalea

Azalea, Oil on linen, 50 x 70cm, 2026

Azalea is a self-portrait painting that emerged from a period of stagnation. The work depicts my figure within a blurred landscape of azalea flowers, capturing a moment of stillness and observation during spring. The imagery is inspired by the Pre-Raphaelite movement, particularly its use of romanticism, allegory, and detailed depictions of nature. During this time, I became interested in the symbolic language of flowers in art. I closely observed the seasonal changes around me and the way spring transforms the environment, which informed the composition and atmosphere of the painting. The construction of this work was a slow process. Each time I returned to the image, I was reminded of the moment I first encountered blooming azaleas. I often worked on the painting in the early morning, watching the sunrise as part of a personal working ritual that became embedded in the making of the piece. Within the composition, I hold a blooming azalea in my hand, functioning as a symbol of rebirth, renewal, and new beginnings. Personal symbolic elements are embedded throughout the image. This work marks a pivotal moment in my practice and a return to painting with a renewed mindset.