Mika Obanda

But again, I never chose to be born in Mokuru.

Yeah, and the support that I got, I didn't get it because someone is pitying me.

I got it because people know the work that I do.

Yeah, talking about things I think is very helpful for a person.

When you speak it out, that's where you actually get freedom.

When you don't do that, you get locked into yourself and you forget there's a world out there waiting for you.

So it's the one with two windows and then planters hanging from the wire meshed window.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Welcome.

Yeah, now it would have been like you'd be sweating.

On every year, I've been making a self-portrait of myself.

And this year, my theme is being untamed, living life as if you are free.

So the portrait is taking some aspect of the studio, so having some plants, some brush, and me in my studio attire, actually, I would say.

and then the chains that I have in my hand.

So just trying to capture aspects of me that make me feel untamed.

There was a lot of rubbing, a lot of starting and not completing.

So then when I was doing the last sketch, I got what I wanted, and I was like, oh, this is actually a relief.

I started feeling represented by that portrait.

Yeah, I think it has that.