Living in a fast-paced city, she believes, can make us forget where we come from.
“We chase progress, but neglect the stories that shaped us, so the moment we recognise our roots, no matter how distant or complex, we begin to see our home in Singapore in a different light,” she said. “Home gains more meaning, and that meaning is very personal.”
Fathiah sees her role not just as an artist, but as a cultural bridge, helping to shape a Singapore that honours its layered past.
“I feel a responsibility to contribute to the traditional art scene here, to make it more vibrant and more respectful of the many cultures we come from.”
That reflection led her to an imagined conversation with her ancestors who left Indonesia generations ago.
“I ask them: Why did you leave? Was it for a better life for your children, your descendants? If so, and Singapore gave you that, then I must give back to this place I call home.”
When visitors in London ask about her work, she tells them that Singapore’s strength lies in its multiculturalism and in how it allows different stories to coexist and evolve.
“Multiculturalism makes us richer. It reminds us that whether we’re native or not, we all have a duty to respect the land we come from and where we stay.
“When we do, we create something beautiful together – like the motifs in batik: Interwoven, complex and full of meaning.”
“Singapore can be grander and more holistic when all our cultural threads are seen, valued, and stitched into its fabric.”
