Illustrator Soefara Jafney gives female icons a superhero makeover

'I was inspired by her (Cik Siti Wan Kembang) story – a skilled fighter who led an army of women warriors into battle on horseback, yet also possessed a nurturing side,' says Soefara. Photo: The Star/M. Irsyad

Freelance illustrator and designer Soefara Jafney’s Cik Siti Wan Kembang, from her digital portrait series, is a striking mash-up of local folklore and the slick style of US comic books.

By fusing the enchanting mystique of Malay tales with bold, eye-popping designs, the 45-year-old artist has given this Kelantanese female warrior a fresh, modern twist – proving that tradition can be both timeless and totally cool.

“I was inspired by her story – a skilled fighter who led an army of women warriors into battle on horseback, yet also possessed a nurturing side,” says Soefara in a recent interview.

“Legend has it that she cared for a wounded kijang (deer), which became her beloved pet, so I included it in the illustration. To this day, the Kelantan emblem features a pair of kijang in her honour,” she adds.

Soefara will be part of the panel session “From Malaysia To International Arena” at the upcoming Asia Pop Culture Convention (AsiaPopCon) 2024, taking place on Sept 28 and 29 at the Pavilion Exhibition Centre in Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur.

A close-up look at Soefara’s illustration of Cik Siti Wan Kembang, which has led the artist to explore traditional tales and female heroes in Malaysia. Photo: Soefara Jafney

"As an art director for collectible statues, I have the privilege of collaborating with incredibly talented artists from all over - the US, UK, Thailand, Canada, Russia. The creative scene in Malaysia is equally thriving. In fact, the master painter (James Tce) I always work is a Malaysian from Penang and is self-taught, and he’s world-class level," says Soefara about her panel session (on the "Desktop Supers" statue line) this weekend at AsiaPopCon.

"Every time he sends me an update, my heart skips a beat because he never fails to amaze me. I’m also working with a local 3D artist (Shereendar Kaur Chabra) right now, and she’s super talented, professional, and always ready to learn. So, how far is Malaysia from the international scene? We’re already there - we just need more opportunities and mentorship to push it even further," she adds.

Soefara will also be opening a booth, featuring limited edition prints and merchandise, at the event.

The warrior spirit

The former art director has crafted an impressive portfolio of illustrations, collaborating with a local fashion brand and creating children’s books, as well as portraits of iconic women like the Greek goddess Artemis, and Cleopatra, the Queen of the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt – all rendered in her signature detailed style.

Soefara's illustration of Mumtaz Mahal, an empress consort of the Mughal Empire from 1628 to 1631 as the chief consort of the fifth Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan. Photo: Soefara Jafney

Last year, the Petaling Jaya-based Soefara also illustrated the book The Power Of Michelle Yeoh: Ballet, Stunts, Stardom!, written by Singaporean author David Seow and published by Bonnie Books (a Singaporean book company).

However, it was the legendary Cik Siti Wan Kembang who ruled a region on the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia – between the 16th and 17th century – that ignited her deeper interest in local folklore.

Earlier this year, Soefara debuted her illustrations at the Can She Do It? exhibition in Kuala Lumpur in celebration of International Women’s Day, marking her first venture outside the comic book realm.

This exhibition served as an entry point for many visitors to the folklore of Cik Siti Wan Kembang, connecting her story to more familiar figures like Raja Hijau and Hang Tuah. Audiences were also pleasantly surprised to discover that a Google search for “Cik Siti Wan Kembang” features Soefara’s illustration as the first image.

Last year, Soefara illustrated 'The Power of Michelle Yeoh: Ballet, Stunts, Stardom!', a book celebrating the story of the international film star. Photo: Bonnie Books

“With folklore characters, adaptations are essential for making them relatable, which is why treating them like comic book heroes makes their stories more accessible,” she says.

“At a previous Comic-Con in Singapore, I received many enquiries about Cik Siti Wan Kembang from expats. Although they were unfamiliar with her story, they were immediately drawn in by the vibrant colours and style of the design.”

Making a connection

Much of her artistic inspiration stems from her upbringing, which included poring over her mother’s fashion magazines, exploring the audio-visual department at RTM where her father worked, and watching cartoons like X-Men and Jem And The Holograms on television.

“Watching those TV shows really opened up my world to animation. As a child, it helped me to understand sketching different body parts like the clavicle or cleavage while I was still drawing on pen and paper. That’s when I decided to get into digital art, which was also around the same time Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator came into the market,” she says.

Her illustrations, showcased on social media and in her scarf designs, offer a refreshing perspective on the modern woman. One notable scene captures three children huddled in front of a TV watching X-Men, surrounded by scattered action figures, notebooks, and toys – a vivid snapshot of childhood imagination and nostalgia that resonates deeply with her audience.

“I don’t know what the younger generation is watching these days. But I know that I can use art as a way of conversing with them. And so even though there might be a gap in what we grew up watching, it’s still inspiring to me that they are interested in my characters and curious to know more,” she concludes.