MY STORY
I am a visual artist, and mental health advocate committed to collective care. I am based in Washington, D.C.
As a kid, I used to sketch to self soothe. Whenever I was in public, I felt overwhelmed and immediately retreated internally. I grabbed my notebook, a pen and started sketching. It’s also been the safe and reliable friend I could come back to when I felt lost or low. It was the best way I knew how to stay in my body and exist in the world.
As an adult, I devoted 7 years to domestic abuse prevention as a social worker. I quickly learned the value of creating a safe space for survivors to tell their story. It’s a pathway to be seen, heard, and affirmed. “Thank you for reaching out. I’m here to listen. What do you need right now? Take your time, I’ll be here when you’re ready”. These may seem like just words, but these words have power. For moments when words are just not enough, I lean into visual art.
Art to me is liberation. It is an act of unapologetic expression, reclamation of our narrative and celebration of who we are. As a queer, Nepali woman living with chronic pain and living with C-PTSD, creating is healing. The act of creating is a safe way for me to connect with my inner world. It helps me explore the sensations and emotions that live within me. It reveals my deepest hopes, dreams, and fears.
“Years as a healer and trauma therapist have taught me that trauma isn’t destiny. The body, not the thinking brain, is where we experience most of our pain, pleasure, and joy, and where we process most of what happens to us. It is also where we do most of our healing, including our emotional and psychological healing. And it is where we experience resilience and a sense of flow.”