1998-2000 series

Detail of 'PesanNenda'.1998


In early 1998,I went to Prague with a group of young artists where I showcased my work entitled"Pesan Nenda", which means 'Message from Grandma'.This installation was presented in a dark room,with five hanging boxes and shadow drawings on the floor.In this work , I recalled back my granparents advice and through this work I try dispensing these advises visually to perhaps, my own children and my fellow contemporaries along with those who may appreciate such work.The floating boxes symbolized the memories that are now forgotten.

Most of my other works are usually related to the bygone days. I picked up images and forms from old traditional Malay functional objects and utensils and use them as metaphors in my artworks. I again used copper to coat and reconstruct the original forms and added my own designs to present them in an alternative way. Sometimes ,I would even bury these forms in order to get the ageing result.These objects that I employed in my artworks provide feeling of survival ,nostalgia, joy ,heritage, routines and beliefs in the life of every female through motherhood and family ties.They represent the roots and origins of my identity.They are important to me because I feel that the values and cultural traits of our heritage is slowly losing its significance as we find ourselves looking ahead and disregarding the past.