It is a relaxing activity after all, and it is one that could prove useful if ever there’s an inclination to make it your life’s work.

This was the case for Mulaika Nordin, a 17-year-old local abstract artist, who is looking to brighten the world with vivid and diverse colours.

For the Malaysian art community, it is a great honour to have one’s work exhibited in the National Art Gallery and amazingly, Mulaika became the youngest artist ever to have her works exhibited there with her 2019 debut solo show, ‘A Thousand Days of Change’.

Two years later, her works of art are on display yet again; this time at the MoMo’s Art Fair exhibition held at MoMo’s Kuala Lumpur from now until April 1, 2021.

The exhibition, which is the result of a collaboration between the hotel and Art Seni, is themed around International Women’s Day and as such, showcases art pieces by some very talented women.

Mulaika, normally an abstract artist, has branched out into installation art and proudly displays hers, called ‘In My Mind In Yours’, at the exhibition.

For a young woman to have achieved so much in the name of pursuing her passion, her story is an inspiring one that deserves to be told.

“I’m finishing my SPM right now,” the teenager laughed as she sat herself down to speak with FMT.

She explained why she chose abstract art to be her main medium of creativity, saying, “Abstract art is the best way for me to express myself. I can’t do that with anything else.”

“My paintings reflect where I am in my life. Whatever I make is purely based on my emotions.”

As such, when she is in a dour mood or in a bad place, the colours of her artwork often echo the state of her mind.

And when she is feeling upbeat, bright hues adorn her canvas from top to bottom, complemented by energetic and strong lines.

The opportunity to put her artworks on public display was “shocking” for the young artist, but it was not one that she could let go of.

“I feel supported, loved, and, in a way, slightly vulnerable. It’s just like I’m being honest because I’m showing people how I feel. And I guess there’s some vulnerability in that.”

But when Mulaika was asked about how she reacts to feedback about her art, she concisely responds with, “I don’t.”

Still, the young artist is open to advice, and shares that some of the best advice she’s received is being reminded to pursue her artistic passions.

“Whenever people say, ‘Don’t stop’ to me, I find that really reassuring in a way. Motivational even,” she smiled.

This advice comes in handy whenever a creative block strikes, and she is incapable of painting anything for long periods — sometimes months.

She is not distressed by these blips, however, since these moments give her time to recharge and find something worth painting on canvas.

“Once I get the inspiration, I won’t stop painting until everything comes out,” she said, adding that she can often complete a single piece within five hours.

Though Mulaika works primarily with acrylic paint — spreading out a single colour onto the canvas before letting her imagination carry her away — and recently dabbled in installation art, she has started expanding into different aspects of art, such as charcoal drawing.

“I’m getting into music as well and hoping to release a very experimental album this year, but I have a lot of paintings in mind and I do want to do more installations too.”

Even the culinary arts have caught her interest, with the idea of authoring a cookbook playing on her mind for some time now.

The best part about being an artist, she said, is that society’s expectations are different for the artistically-minded.

According to her, artists are less constrained to society’s standards, and for that reason, she feels welcomed by fellow Malaysian artists.

While being in the art scene is not without its challenges, Mulaika’s time in the local art scene has been nothing short of fun.

“The art circle is small but there are tonnes of people to meet. Everyone I have met is extremely friendly, welcoming and they take the time to find out about your art and learn what it is all about.”

Mulaika’s artworks and that of other talented artists will be on display at MoMo’s Art Fair until April 1. Learn more here.