During the pandemic, I embarked on and completed a sculpture that I named "Octowoman," featuring eight arms, each representing a distinct emotional state I experienced during that time: patience, hope, loneliness, resilience, uncertainty, adaptation, fatigue, and victory. These arms symbolize the complex emotions I felt, serving as extensions of my own experiences.
Additionally, during this period, I learned about the South African documentary "My Octopus Teacher," which had won an Oscar. The team could not travel to US to receive it due to pandemic-related travel restrictions. Discovering their success while I was finishing my sculpture helped me feel connected despite my isolation, inspiring the name of my work.
I crafted this sculpture from clay, and after firing, it was finished with a patina. This piece is more than just a sculpture; it is a form of therapy and a personal triumph. It represents my journey through a challenging period, discovering my inner strength through the medium of art.