As a photographer and digital artist, I have always wanted the opportunity to exhibit my work in a physical public space. When I came across the Nando's Art Initiative through a recommendation from my MMU CG lecturer, Pn. Juhanita, I decided to take the opportunity and submit my work.

On my first attempt, I didn't win the competition, but I was honoured to be selected as a finalist. Looking back, the entire journey was far more memorable than the result itself. Without my own transportation at the time, I had to rely on public transport and the generosity of friends to make everything happen—from printing and framing my artwork to delivering it to the competition venue.

Getting the print colours right was another challenge, requiring several rounds of test prints before I was satisfied. Along the way, I met many genuinely kind people who made the experience possible. I remain grateful to MMU print shop sifu Hafiz for his guidance, my friend Foong for helping with last-minute printing, and Kaixiang for driving me and my framed artwork all the way from Cyberjaya to Shah Alam in his little Kancil. Their support turned what could have been a stressful process into one of the most meaningful experiences of my early creative journey.

When I entered the competition again the following year, I was fortunate enough to finally win. Ironically, the prize presentation ceremony was held on the exact same day as my MMU final examination for the Tamadun subject. Skipping the exam was never an option, so I asked one of my relatives to attend the ceremony and collect the award on my behalf. In the end, she was the one standing under the spotlight on stage while I was sitting for my final exam—a memory that still makes me smile.

Being in the spotlight was never my main goal. At that point in my life, what mattered most was the RM5,000 cash prize and the opportunity to exhibit my work. I used the prize money to build a custom PC, which I have continued to upgrade and maintain over the years and still use today as an essential part of my creative practice.

As I was preparing for my university final-year project and film, I chose to revisit and refurbish artworks I had created during high school instead of producing an entirely new body of work. Reworking these pieces allowed me to print them in large format while making better use of my limited time and resources.

I also made the deliberate decision to postpone my exhibition by two years. I knew that most of my friends would be too occupied to attend during our final year, and I wanted the exhibition to have a better chance of reaching the people who had supported me throughout my journey. There was also a practical reason behind the timing. By holding the exhibition after graduation, when my scholarship support had ended, I hoped that any proceeds from artwork sales would help sustain me financially during the transition into professional life.