2025, 6’ 9” x 7’ 11” Acrylic Mural

Labiba is a communications designer whose work is guided by self-reflection coupled with stylized nostalgia. This mural captures her shifting connection with spirituality through her self-insert character, Bubby (on the left). Bubby is an ephemeral imaginary friend that allows Labiba to express the complexities of life through an idealised, whimsical lens of fantasy. The imposing figure to the right depicts her cat, Poppie (also known as Popsicle). The cat peeking through the clouds serves as a tether to the material universe outside of fantasy. Cats are curious animals, as pets they tend to keep to themselves, they demand care and expect tolerance of bites and scratches. Yet their presence always brings happiness and comfort to their owners. Sometimes the universe feels distant, its scale and vastness rendering it unrecognisable. But this pale blue dot, though surrounded by the abyss, contains the only heaven we know. It’s worth preserving even through days when all it seems to do is bite and scratch.