Folded between, a crease is how paper remembers. It is a slight pinch, a measured force and an impression that remains. To fold is to guide with creases, teaching paper how to move and become. In her upcoming solo exhibition with Gajah Gallery Singapore, Fadilah Karim gently lets us into her painterly world again, this time as she begins to navigate a new chapter in her life being a mother to her young daughter, Aira. Poignant and deeply personal, Folds and Creases is an ode to motherhood: beauty in the midst of chaos, joy in the face of fear and the sheer weight of it all. Mothers hope to hold their children close – to protect, comfort, support or lead them by example – but like the shaping of paper, mothers must eventually learn to let go and just allow their children to be. Two years in the making, this cherished series of works is a testament to Fadilah’s exceptional talent, grit and passion: it is a special invitation into her evolving life’s story, as she remains true to herself, her values and her remarkable gift.
Fadilah Karim (b. 1987, Johor, Malaysia) is a rising star and one of Malaysia’s promising young artists. She is best known for her large-scale figurative paintings that express her autobiography in the style of realism and a muted palette. Graduating with a Masters of Art (MA) in Fine Arts & Technology from Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) in 2013, she received the HOM Art Trans YOUNG GUNS Award in 2013 and the UOB Painting of the Year (Bronze) in 2021. Beyond Malaysia, her works have been exhibited in Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Korea. This will be her fourth solo exhibition and her first outside Malaysia.
