Masturah Sha’ari is an art historian and cofounder of Maya Gallery, an art gallery with a focus on heritage, culture, Singapore and Southeast Asian art since 2012. She is also president of Angkatan Pelukis Aneka Daya (APAD)—an association of Malay artists in Singapore, established in 1962—and an exco member of The Singapore Arts Federation. She has curated exhibitions, produced catalogues, spoken at museums and institutions, mentored female university students, and once taught art and drawing at a local polytechnic. Her research explores the collective efforts of Malay artists and societies during Singapore’s post-war period. A self-taught artist, Masturah won a few neighbourhood art competitions while in primary school. She started abstract painting in 2016, where her works are an expression of her thoughts and emotions, inspired by people, places and life experiences. Her works have been exhibited in Vietnam, Malaysia and Singapore, including at the Vietnam National Fine Arts Museum in Hanoi, Pan Pacific Hotel Hanoi, Art Expo Malaysia, and Affordable Art Fair Singapore.
“Making art, especially abstracts, allows me to explore the concept of freedom and space, without being bogged down with representational objects and meticulous details. Being in my pop-up studio helps me unwind and get into my own space, where I get to break some rules, experiment, and let surprises happen.”
