My work is a celebration of transculturation and interculturation between Malay, Pakistani and Western culture. Through my practice I hope to represent audiences who are mixed raced, those who are in a minority, and those who are experiencing racial ambiguity, to showcase the richness of my own cultural reference and the potential of its future, to encourage all to be proud of their skin and embrace their culture, wherever they are.
I am a result of British colonisation that took place across the Malayan islands in the 1800. I use the traditional aesthetic of batik from Malaysia and Henna from Pakistan and use the Western decoration technique of slip trailing. The fusion of these three processes, their tradition and symbolism represents the ethos of a traveller moving through generations. It reflects who I am.
The slips are bright and colourful inspired by the Malaysian batik, whereas the patterns are more akin to Pakistani Henna with slight chipping, and cracks to represent the fragility of these traditional art. With each individual wall panel there is both a consistent regulated line and more organic flowing pattern to tell us a story of an ongoing cultural journey.
Mae fy ngwaith yn ddathliad o draws-ddiwylliannu a rhyng-ddiwylliannu rhwng y diwylliannau Maleiaidd, Pacistanaidd a’r Gorllewin. Trwy fy ymarfer dwi’n gobeithio cynrychioli cynulleidfaoedd sydd o dras gymysg, y rhai sy’n perthyn i leiafrif, a’r rhai sy’n profi amwysedd hiliol, i arddangos cyfoeth fy nghefndir diwylliannol fy hun a photensial ei ddyfodol, er mwyn annog pawb i ymfalchïo yn eu croen a gwneud yn fawr o’u diwylliant, ble bynnag y bônt.
Dwi’n ganlyniad i wladychu Prydeinig a ddigwyddodd ar draws ynysoedd Maleia yn yr 1800au. Dwi’n defnyddio estheteg draddodiadol batik o Faleisia a henna o Bacistan a dwi’n defnyddio techneg addurno llinellau slip o’r Gorllewin. Mae cyfuno’r tair proses, eu traddodiad a’u symbolaeth yn cynrychioli ethos teithiwr sy’n symud trwy genedlaethau. Mae’n adlewyrchu pwy ydw i.
Mae’r slipiau’n llachar a lliwgar ac yn cael eu hysbrydoli gan batik Maleisia, tra bod y patrymau’n fwy tebyg i henna Pacistanaidd gydag ychydig o dyllau bach a chraciau i gynrychioli breuder y mathau traddodiadol hyn o gelf. Ar bob panel wal unigol mae yna gyfuniad o linellau rheoledig cyson yn ogystal â phatrwm mwy organig sy’n llifo i adrodd hanes taith ddiwylliannol barhaus.
