Hafi (34) & Relational Identity
This article was written in collaboration with Don’t Mind If (DMI) to document and archive creative journeys of those who labour within Singapore’s Communication Design industry and community. This is a preview of the entry.
Image credits to Lincoln Yeo and Portia Tan for Shibui WorldThe day we met, Hafi and I separately ordered the same Duck Fat Potato Galette and Good ol’ Chai at Modo to our amusement. Then chatting with the celebrated illustrator in the quiet second storey of the old-world shophouse, Pixie and I were enchanted by her sureness of self and candid confidence.
Even after a long Wednesday brunch together, we couldn’t help feel like we had but scratched the surface of Hafi’s vibrant everyday - what with peeks of her fencing on Instagram, talks of a Cuties Hiking Club, work for Asian Civilisations Museum, Formula 1 Grandprix and the 101 pop ups she’s cooking up at any one time in collaboration with big-name brands like Vans, Samsung and Hermes. Even appearing on publications like Herworld and L’officiel.
Bringing none of these achievements up, Hafi had instead made sure we understood what ties it altogether for her — the thread of relational identity; with culture, with womanhood, with family and with one’s self. Plus a sprinkle of humour for good measure!
“I am a self-employed illustrator, designer and visual artist. I love hiking, going on very long walks, hosting dinner parties and watching F1 races on tv with my friends. I like gardening too!”
Hafi’s desk
“One of my many passion projects, Seasonings Magazine, started when Pamelia Chia (Pam) reached out via Instagram. I had read her wonderful book, Wet Market to Table which shines a spotlight on local ingredients from these markets, so it was a huge fangirl moment for me.”
“I studied Creative Media Design (now known as Visual Communication) in Singapore Polytechnic and went on to get a BFA in Visual Communication in School of Art, Media and Design at Nanyang Technological University. I felt that my diploma education was very touch and go, and not having learned a lot during my earlier internships meant I had difficulty opening up and adapting to new work environments.”
“While holding a full-time job, I did a lot of illustration and art projects on the side. One of my aims then was to work on a solo show, on Online Dating - a topic relatable for a lot of women my age. I experienced a lot of setbacks in the pursuit of love and I often wondered if I was alone in experiencing all these bad dates.”
“A project that I’m proud of is the Kenduri (Banquet) series of rugs I worked on in collaboration with Journey East. I’ve always wanted to design rugs beyond the DIY tufting realm so when project coordinator Rafiq from Feral approached me, I was super excited.
Throughout my childhood, my extended family would always sit on the floor and eat communally on a rug. This warmth was what I wanted to capture, the Malay generosity and hospitality, as homage to my late Atuk (grandfather) and my Nenek (grandmother).”
“Creativity is — the freedom to express one’s self.”
