Balance, Not Symmetry

The story unfolds primarily in Glasgow's art-school milieu, where Caitlin studies at the Glasgow School of Art and develops her practice amid a shifting creative community. It also follows Caitlin's impending move to London for a project with a renowned artist, signaling a leap from student work to professional collaboration. The film nods to Caitlin's New York upbringing as a backdrop to her evolving identity, highlighting a cross-Atlantic trajectory in contemporary art life.

🎨 Feminism in Art

Fiona's critique that women have been written out of art history frames the characters' efforts to rewrite the canon. The narrative foregrounds female perspectives and collaborative creation over solitary, decorative expression. Caitlin and her peers explore how art can reflect lived experience rather than stay confined to galleries. Catherine Hendricks' mentorship later reinforces how feminist practice evolves through shared, public projects.

💔 Grief and Healing

Caitlin's father's funeral sets the emotional tone, with painting serving as a way to process loss. Her mother Mary's own grief mirrors and intersects with Caitlin's, complicating but enriching their bond. The characters channel sorrow into creative work, showing how art can transform personal pain into something observable. The film tracks the slow, imperfect path from mourning to a hopeful future.

🤝 Friendship and Relationships

Hannah's steadfast friendship anchors Caitlin as she navigates grief and artistic doubt. Romantic and social entanglements, like Caitlin's date with Rory and the dynamic with Stacey, test loyalties and reveal insecurities. The pair's arguments and reconciliations underscore the importance of communication in sustaining creative collaboration. Together they move from conflict to renewed partnership in their art.

🧭 Creative Growth

Caitlin wrestles with a sprawling canvas and a struggle to finish her end-of-year presentation, embodying the volatile process of creation. The introduction of Catherine Hendricks and the London project marks a turning point from student work to professional opportunity. The film emphasizes that meaning in art shifts over time, especially when collaboration with others—like Hannah—expands a piece's significance. The journey culminates in Caitlin embracing a future beyond the Glasgow studio.