Blaze Huggins, age20 has exhibited her photograms at the Barking Learning Centre, Barking Town Square

A young artist who has just exhibited her work in public for the first time has spoken about the importance of studying and doing what you love.

Seventeen pieces by Dagenham artist Blaze Huggins, 20, were on display at the Barking Learning Centre for two weeks last month.

Mixed Media Fine Art was her first exhibition outside of the college environment.

The former All Saints student, who is studying art in her third year at Westminster University, said: “It was amazing. It makes you feel really independent. It’s very addictive and I’m quite proud of myself.”

Her fascination with photograms, created by placing objects on photographic sensitive material and exposing them to light, was sparked last year after she attended an exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum entitled Shadow Catchers – Camera less photography.

Having worked with painting, sculptures and mixed media before, she rediscovered the art of photograms and honed her skills after spending hours in dark rooms, where she captured the shadows of objects on photo-sensitive paper.

“I like that sense of excitement. You never know what it’s going to look like,” she said.

Although the main theme of her exhibition evolves around romance, dreams and happiness – and an almost childlike state of bliss and encapsulation – her own determination to do well stems from a desire to communicate and connect.

Blaze said: “I’m always trying to get that piece that you can look at and think: that’s romantic. I like the fact that I can give someone an ongoing interest in my work. If it makes them happy, that’s the best thing.”

Although she has no illusions about the difficulties of making a living from art, she made the choice that she believes will make her happy.

Blaze said: “It’s hard to know what path to take but it’s important to do what you love and follow it through.

“It’s not important for every single person to go to university but whatever you do, you should push it as far as you can.”

This article features as part of the Post campaign Choose Your Future.