When shapes and colors tell stories

A woman exploring the Geometric Echoes photography exhibition.

Can a simple shape or a color represent who we are?

The answer may seem unlikely. Sometimes, behind every shape and color, there are personal experiences, emotions, and memories. This is the idea behind Geometric Echos, a photography exhibition by the student-led Media Club at Parami University. 

Self-Expression Begins with Reflection 

Everyone expresses themselves in different ways. While some people communicate through words, others enjoy using art, music, or photography to express themselves. 

Creative expression showed that there are many ways to tell a story. 

The exhibition curator Jae Jae said, “There are 16 participants in this project. But if we were to ask everyone to choose a color, a shape, and tell their story, how remarkably unique would each individual’s existence be, despite its simplicity?”

Shapes and colors are a part of our daily lives. They often hold personal meaning. For someone, a color may represent hope, and a shape can mean strength. These simple visual elements become powerful when they are connected with our lived experiences. 

Experimentation as a Way of Learning 

Originally developed in 2024, students from the Media Club revisited their project “Geometric Echos,” inviting viewers to explore identity through photography. The three principles: Expression, Engagement, and Experimentation guided the project by choosing shapes and colors that reflected who they are. 

For many participants, this was the first photography project they got to be a part of. So, the students embraced curiosity, creativity, and collaboration. They experimented with new ideas, created acrylic masks, and photographed one another in downtown Yangon. 

Tris, one of the participants, shared, “The Geometric Echos was one of the most enjoyable events enriched with practical experience at Parami. The interaction with and my exploration of the story of other peers will be memorable.” 

Through experimentation, they are also doing meaningful learning. Trying unfamiliar ideas, taking risks, and learning alongside others can be just as valuable as the final outcome. 

As the leader of the Media Club and project lead, Wai Moe, a recent graduate of the class of 2026, shared, “The exhibition invites viewers to see the creative journey that allows students to express themselves while learning from one another.” 

Photograph as a Medium for Storytelling

Photography captures more than a moment. It can preserve a story. In Geometric Echos, every portrait is a personal journey with each shape and color carrying a unique meaning. 

Jae Jae reflects, “Revisiting the project after two years brought back the stories behind every photograph. The simple shapes and colors became reminders for individual experiences, memories, and identities.” 

Creativity Builds Community 

Geometric Echos is also a story of collaboration. Students from different backgrounds came together to create, experiment, and support one another throughout the project. 

During the creative process, they exchanged ideas, solved problems, and built friendships through shared experiences. The exhibition reflects not only individual creativity but also the strength of learning as a community. 

Every Story Is Different 

Each participant interpreted shapes and colors in their own way. 

One participant said, “Red, to me, represents focus. Without focus, I feel like I’ll miss out on a lot of important things about life. Along with focus, memory is also important to me. The focus that keeps you aware of the present and the memory that stores the significant parts of it is what makes me who I am.” 

Another participant talked about why she chose the diamond shape. “I chose a diamond shape with the purple color. Diamonds are very hard and can withstand intense heat. Purple is a strong color representing strength and resilience. I believe that I am strong and will shine one day like a diamond.”

Together, these stories tell us that even the simplest symbols can carry deeply personal meaning. 

Why Creative Spaces Matter 

Creative projects do more than create artwork; they provide opportunities to explore ideas and discover new perspectives.

At Parami University, projects like Geometric Echos show the spirit of a liberal arts education where learning is not limited to textbooks and classrooms. By encouraging students to experiment, collaborate, and tell their own stories, projects like this help them develop creativity, confidence, and a deeper understanding of themselves and the people around them. 

So, can a simple shape or color represent who we are? This project is proof that it can. A photograph can become a memory, a self-expression, and a conversation. 

As Wai Moe reminded, “Art is something we can continue to nurture wherever we are: by expressing our creativity and simply continuing to create. Keep engaging with art. After all, I believe art is what makes us human.”