AMIRAH RAIMI

Calligraphy Journey

Under the tutelage of Calligraphy Artist Atii Qah Suhaimi student of Master Calligrapher Mr Belaid Hamidi:

Exhibitions & Showcases:

Competitions:

Calligraphy for my mind is just like exercise for my body. Exercising can be physically taxing and painful but is good for my body. While calligraphy for me is something which is very difficult, time consuming, nerve wracking back breaking and i complain all the time to my teacher, but it is good for my mind.

ATII QAH SUHAIMI

Calligraphy Journey

Under the tutelage of Calligraphy Artist Atii Qah Suhaimi student of Master Calligrapher Mr Belaid Hamidi:

Exhibitions & Showcases:

Competitions:

Calligraphy for my mind is just like exercise for my body. Exercising can be physically taxing and painful but is good for my body. While calligraphy for me is something which is very difficult, time consuming, nerve wracking back breaking and i complain all the time to my teacher, but it is good for my mind.

The artpiece

Immerse yourself in the beauty of the artwork

i. ARTWORK DESCRIPTION

Size 50 x 70 cm

Script Maghribi & Thuluth Maghribi

Paper Ahar, acid free italian paper

Ink Schmincke - brown, black & blue

a. Main text:

in blue:
سموڬ بهاڬيا
semoga bahagia

In brown:
lyrics of semoga bahagia written in jawi

b. Label:

The artwork label is written in the Maghribi script. The text reads in Jawi:
“Ditulis tangan oleh Siti Nur Amirah murid kepada Atii Qah Suhaimi anak Melayu Singapura”

ii. STORY BEHIND THE ARTWORK

a. ARTWORK PHILOSOPHY

“When I was told that I can write anything that i want as long as it is within the scope of the theme’s project, I was ecstatic. Usually for any artwork from past projects , I will discuss it with my teacher and decide on a text upon their recommendation.

Immediately I knew that I wanted to write an artwork which reflects not only my identity but also the identity of many of my peers.

I chose to write the song Semoga Bahagia (May you achieve Happiness) composed by Encik Zubir Said – the very person who wrote Singapore’s national Anthem – in reflection of  the Singaporean identity and how the the name Singapore follows us everywhere we go. 

The lyrics of the song is in the Malay Language which is the main language that we use to communicate with our elders and our families. But because of our education and how we were brought up, many of us can also express ourselves comfortably in at least 2 or 3 other languages. That is also the reason why I chose to write in Jawi because to read it you need to know Malay but you also need to be able to identify Arabic letters so it reflects a certain degree of mastery of various languages.”

-Amirah Raimi

b. FAVOURITE TEXT

“I have 2 favourite line from the song:

The first line is “Sama-sama maju ke hadapan” because it tells me to keep moving forward. Whatever happens do not give up find ways to keep moving and not only move by myself but also with my community and the people that i love.

The second line is “Rajinlah supaya berjaya” because it tells me to not only move but Rajinlah to work hard and hustle. I am reminded to be creative and create opportunities for myself.”

c. SCRIPT

I settled with the Maghribi script a Moroccon font as a tribute to my teacher and my teacher’s teacher who is a Moroccon master calligrapher Syeikh Belaid Hamidi. From whom I had the good change of learning many things and being able to develop myself.

d. SIGNATURE & LABEL

The Artwork Label is written in Jawi:

Jawi: دتوليس تاڠن اوليه سيتي نور أميرة  موريد کڤد عتيقة سحيمي أنق ملايو سيڠاڤورا

The calligrapher also incorporated her signature into the artwork by signing it below the title of the song “Semoga Bahagia”.

 

MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT

The most difficult part was to find time and space. I had to squeeze time after work and on weekends which gave me so much pressure because if my writing is not up to the standard that it should be, then I will not be able to put it out for the public.

Also, when I am executing the final piece I need a lot of personal space. I even find it difficult to talk to people because I use up so much mental energy to focus on my writing.

For this, I am very thankful to my loved ones who were very understanding and gave me as much space as I need.

Watch the full interview

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