It all started with Ashtara, my spiritual guru and comrad on this earthly plane. Asked by her to step into a crypto project that would led us to Phuket, the southern part of Thailand. We met a Russian Photographer Asya who was a replacement of another photographer who got COVID just 2 days before our shoot in Feb-22. When we connected on instagram via my art page @laylas.light, she told me to take part of the ‘Art Connect Woman’ event in Dubai. This event gives woman an equal opportunity globally to showcase thier paitning in a renown platform. Little did I know that it was the spirit of Blockchain Energetics that led me to the land of Dubai. In Nov-22, I recieved a letter congratulating me to be chosen as Thailand’s Art Ambassador for the 6th annual event of art connects woman under ‘Dare to Dream’ Theme. I was to participate at the event in Mar-23. I was so excited to have my very first exhibition ever and it was in an international eye !
Do I dare to dream ? Oh yes I do…
As I arrived on the 1st day in Dubai at 5AM in the morning, I was so excited and nervous as it was my first time visiting Dubai. The first day plan was to head straight to see where my paitning is hang at the Al Habtoor Palace hotel. When I finished the visit, the next thing i did was to go to do my hair for the Gala Dinner event at the V Hotel near the Al Habtoor Palace. When I finally finished my up do, I came home to change in my gown that i have worn 15 years ago. The only reason I worn it again was because the event encourage us to wear our national dress! When I arrived at the V Hotel, I was greeted beautifully by the event team. I got my Thailand pagent and the event book that has my art in the book, alongside another 111 woman artists around the world. While I was waiting to be seated at the gala dinner room, I came across Sultana Kazim. While I didn’t know who she was, all i know that was she was very well greated by a lot of people from the event. As time pass on, I was standing with her alone. I get to speak to her about her love for Thai food, how she owns half the land in the old town dubai and how she opens her house as a private gallery as well. Little did i know that this incredible woman is a special guest at the event. She is very well regarded as a top fashion designer in Dubai. Her works in the 70’s was truly celebrated by royalties at Price Charles and Princess Diana royal wedding to hollywood stars such as Mig Jagger, Bianca Jagger, Micheal Jackson, Stevie wonders, etc. Sultala Kazim gave me her name card and kept it in my bag.
Fast forward after the award gala night where I met so many incredible woman from all around the world, I was so happy and in awe of how beautiful the energetic space was at the moment. Everyone was just having a good time with each other. The award was epic but it was the powerful vortex of the powerful woman that made the room shine. I was sitting next to ladies from Sri Lanka, Denmark, Congo, Sudan and much more at the table. There were only 3 people from South East Asia including me, Singapore and Phillippines.
The next day we went to a cultural tour at Shiraj. We went to around 4 museums but the one that caught our attention the most was the ‘Hum’ room. Imagine a huge cone like dome with ‘Humming’ Sound effect from all angles. As oddly as the concept was, I have to say that everyone truly enjoy the moment of healing and peace. The ‘Humming’ sound is a represensation of unity where there were no language barrier. As the tour ended, we went back to the Al Habtoor Palace to collect my painitng from the event. But I had this nagging feeling that the paitning is not meant to leave Dubai. This is becuase my intention with this paitning is channel the grandious land. A thank you tribute for the nation and what it stand for.
While I was trying to find a way to reach out to private galleries, something nagged on me that I needed to reach out to Sultana Kazim about my painting. I decided to listen to my inner instict, whipped up her name card from my bag, and wrote her an email about adding my painting into her private collection. As life would have taught me, I let go of any expectations of the outcome. I guess when you let go of the situation, things do happen in a way you never expected. Two hours after i wrote her an email, my heart leaped out with joy as i saw her reply congratulating me with my excellent work and asked me to come to her grand villa at 4.30pm for tea. I was so happy that the universe heard my prayers. But in a way, I knew it in my heart that all was meant to be. I thank the universe and angels for the meeting. At 4.30pm, I arrived at Sultana Kazim grand villa which has 2 huge falcons at the door. I’ve spend 3 good hours with her enjoying her company. We were laughing, drinking tea, eating wonderful cakes and nachos. Long story short, we were talking about her peak days in the 70’s. Her story was so incredible it completely activated me to even dream bigger than i could ever imagine. Here are her words of wisdom - be realistic to know what you can make a living out of it, it is the nature of supply and demand, when opportunity comes grab it with both hands and dont let go as we never know when lighting will strike twice again, work hard to achieve your dreams. With regards to my paintings, Sultana Kazim will showcase my painting twice at her private gallery at her villa from Sept-23 onwards. I am so grateful for her incredible open heartedness and kindness to me. I promise myself that i will do the same if anyone needed a leg up.
This is my incredible story in Dubai that led me to a journey of an unexpected turn of event. To anyone who has read to this very line, if there is one thing i would like to leave you with my story is that - listen to your inner wisdom, it will show you the way and trust that the universe will take you where you need to go. You just need to really listen and have the courage to act on it. Throughout my journey here, there were many times that i got into a nervous breakdown - imagine going to a new land, right into a gala not knowing what will happen to my artwork. but here i am with an incredible story to tell.
This is the story of how art connect human :) get ready to dream big !