My eye is fed with visual things, I recognise the beauty, I see the beauty, it doesn’t matter if it’s a human or an object, I can always spot something different and very, very tiny things which trigger that. David Downton says: “That I am an artist without knowing that I’m an artist” it is kind of that which makes it even better because I don’t call myself an artist.

I remember the first home I lived in, it had a beautiful garden and was at my grandparent’s place. I had the most amazing childhood I could have dreamt of because it was great. It was the countryside it was grandparent’s love, it was grandmother’s food, a wild forest and endless fields on the other side.

I spent time in countryside from since I was born, until the age of seven — that was when you had to go to school. I was born in the city so I had to go to school in the city and my ‘torture’ was Monday to Friday — because I couldn’t stand the city. I was looking forward to Friday, the 1410 bus, that went to my grandparent’s place. That was my life from Monday to Friday, looking forward to it.

My aunty she was unable to have children and she looked after me all the time until the age of 7. So I had to reconnect again with my parents, because I got used to her. I wouldn’t be who I am without my aunty, she’s probably the most important female figure in my life. I think she’s got even more maternal feelings towards me than my mother. Even though I love my mother and she’s trying to protect me, my mother’s sister, she understands me.

I guess when I was a child, I was fed with love because I was a substitute for her own children. Now, she has got two beautiful daughters, but at that time it was a massive shock for her to live in a very close society where things have certain rules: after you get married, next year there has to be a baby. She became the centre-point of public judgement because people were questioning why? It was against the rules of the small village mentality, so I think she went through a lot of very difficult times. And I am glad that I managed to contribute something to her.

I guess she taught me that whole outdoor eating culture because she was wealthy and she loved — and she still loves — socialising and she’s a doctor, obviously she’s got an amazing connection with people and authority with children. I think she was harsh when she had to be harsh with me but she is very well mannered. She taught me manners and how to behave when in places and how to eat right, how to say thank you, give up a place for the elderly and it was basic things for my education.