Fadilah's work is a welcoming space for kids and their parents to explore art, a reflection of her and Aira's activity at her studio. — Photos: Gallery Children's Biennale
Malaysian artist Fadilah Karim, 36, may be known for her large, realistic paintings, but of late, it is her life that appears on her work, literally. Her love of drawing people has now led to her drawing Aira, her daughter and capturing her own life’s experiences as a mother.
Fadilah says juggling life and work is what she finds to be the hardest, yet finest, part of being a mother.
“But my works have always been autobiographical in nature and they tell the story of my own life,” she says.
“I think every mother wants to be a good one and strives to be better every day for her child. Being a mother is strenuous, no doubt, but not in a negative way.
“Our little one’s hugs and kisses will truly validate our efforts and signal that we are doing a good job in raising them,” she adds.
The artist says these days, she produces when she has time, not when she has the mood. — FADILAH KARIM
She says she cherishes every moment of motherhood.
“When you become a mother, you instinctively choose your children’s needs over your own. I suppose seeing them grow up, succeed and become capable individuals will give you a priceless validation that all your hard work has been worthwhile,” she says.
Fadilah’s artwork, titled Sama-Sama (Together), is currently featured at the National Gallery Singapore’s fourth instalment of the Gallery Children’s Biennale. Themed ‘Let’s Make a Better Place’, she was commissioned to create a children-friendly art installation for the programme. This is the first time that the Gallery Children’s Biennale has featured a Malaysian artist.
Inspired by key moments spent with Aira – both at home and in her studio – her work brings forth the joys of childhood from the perspective of a parent.
Visitors can create artworks inspired by their favourite memories, build and spend time in a “fort” (an installation at the space), and draw quirky portraits of themselves and their loved ones. Each activity at Sama-Sama (Together) invites parents, carers and children to experience Fadilah’s work by making memories through art and interactive play.
“Sama-Sama (Together) reveals how motherhood has influenced my artistic expression. It expresses the things that my daughter and I regularly do together, both at home as well as in the studio,” she says.
Fadilah's installation is meant to get children to express themselves through art.
Mother and artist
As an artist who is also a mother, she says she has to maintain the right balance between work and family. “After dropping my daughter off at school, I head to my studio and work until dark. I no longer produce a painting when I am in the mood; now I do it when I have the time,” she says.
“While I may have worked more hours before becoming a mother, I think working fixed hours has made me more disciplined and helped me manage my life better,” she says.
She constantly brings her daughter to her studio so she can work and also look after her. “She is often fascinated by my paintings and wants to give it a try, so I always provide her with art supplies like miniature canvases, paints and crayons so she can experiment with art and create anything she wants. At the same time, I assist and mentor her as needed,” she says.
“I recall a moment when I was painting flowers and she told me she wanted to make flowers too and the results were quite impressive,” she adds.
Bringing kids to children-friendly art exhibitions will inculcate their appreciation for art.
Fadilah says to expose children to art, parents can bring them to family-friendly exhibitions at art galleries. “They can also bring kids to art workshops for kids, or just engage in basic home activities like colouring or sketching.
On top of that, parents may link art with enjoyable pursuits like do-it-yourself projects (DIY) or imaginative activities that will give quality time with their kids while also fostering connection,”
“It’s good to expose children to art. It allows them to express themselves and find what they like to do. Art may be many things and one of the important things it does is boost children’s self-confidence,” she says.
Kids, she says, may also acquire valuable life skills and values through art. “It is also a way for children to develop their sense of curiosity and critical thinking,” she concludes.
