26/10/2025

ON SUNDAY October 26, 2025 X theSunday Special Exploring art through illustrations and stories BY DAYANA SOBRI

Art helps me process things, but it also helps me connect with others. It becomes a dialogue, even when words are not involved.”

Malaysian Food Tales is an illustrated book that celebrates local culture through slow, meditative storytelling.meditative storytelling.

A żϰţ¾ěŊłϰŊĢϰĐããĻϰÙľã¾Ŋÿě÷ϰüãľϰĢţěϰľüũŊüęϰ¾ěßϰĢööãľϰĢŊüãľłϰ¾ϰłĻ¾ÙãϰŊĢϰØľã¾ŊüãϰŊüľĢŏ÷üϰüãľϰ art.

I T’S often said that a picture paints a thousand words. But for Malaysian LOOXVWUDWRU DQG YLVXDO VWRU\WHOOHU $¿ Sulaiman, it’s not just the picture – it’s the world that comes alive within and around it. Known for her whimsical linework, delicate texture from wallpapers, and heartfelt narratives, $¿¶V ZRUN VSHDNV VRIWO\ \HW SRZHUIXOO\ RI emotions, moments and memories often left unspoken. Her illustrations, which have graced zines, children’s books and gallery walls, tread the space between reality and imagi nation – sometimes lovely, sometimes melancholic, but always human. On Instagram, she shares both sketches and snippets of daily life, gathering a growing community of followers who are drawn to the gentle intimacy of her art. “I’ve always been interested in how VWRULHV PDNH SHRSOH IHHO VHHQ ´ $¿ VDLG “Art helps me process things, but it also helps me connect with others. It becomes a dialogue, even when words are not involved.” From sketchbook to soul work A ¿¶V MRXUQH\ DV D FUHDWLYH GLGQ¶W EHJLQ with a grand vision. Like many artists, it started with doodles in the margins of school notebooks. She eventually pursued formal education in architecture but found herself more drawn to the tactile intimacy of pen, paper and digital collage.

Her early illustrations – shared online – captured quiet everyday scenes: a happy family together during Hari Raya , a table full of Malaysian delicacies and kueh , adorable furry friends that tug at your KHDUW RU TXLUN\ Ḋ UPDWLRQ FDUGV Yet what sets her apart isn’t simply her medium, but her ability to fold narratives LQWR KHU ZRUN 7KURXJK LOOXVWUDWHG UHÀHF WLRQV VKH R̆ HUV VWRULHV WKDW 0DOD\VLDQV in particular can resonate with, such as those about nostalgia, mental health and cultural identity. Many of her illustrations are either Malaysian-centric or in support of a cause, often poetic in nature, which can be seen in many of her works. It’s this gentle layer ing of mood, metaphor and introspection that allows her art to transcend language.

Art should be part of daily life, not something that only belongs in galleries.”

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