Underwater Fireworks, Noora Elkoussy Painting

Underwater Fireworks is the story of a painting that began when I was a teen and was stored away and forgotten for decades. It is one of a few pieces that I came back to years later with new eyes, new experiences, and new perspectives. I took what I didn't like about my younger work and transformed it into Underwater Fireworks. Indeed, it was years in the making in every sense of the phrase. All my work after 2013 reflects my need to cope with the pain of having a brain tumor and an excruciating surgery that failed to remove it. Painting allowed me to find a new normal after realizing I could not return to my overseas work with refugees or work a typical 9-to-5 job. I live with a brain tumor, am partially blind in one eye, and have continuous irregular migraines, but painting is a calming and healing practice I love to squeeze in when the pain is bearable.