KUALA LUMPUR, March 12 -- At just 22-years-old, Tong Xin Lim is all set to have her solo art exhibition.

The Kajang-born Malaysian Institute of Art (MIA) graduate however nearly did not make it as an artist as her first passion was sports when she was younger.

"I dreamt of becoming an athlete representing the country," she said, naming badminton as one of her favourites.

Things however took a turn during secondary school when her interest in art grew.

"On and off, I would be doodling and sketching in school and the interest grew more intense in secondary school and I found myself drawing, painting and sketching with any available time."

According to Tong, constantly sketching made her realise that she needed to dive deeper into art....