Peniti (translated from Malay as “Pin”) marks Dr Mariam Ali’s debut solo art exhibition. A Singapore-born artist and anthropologist, Mariam’s work is a convergence of her scholarly training and artistic exploration.
She describes her art as a peniti—a bridge between anthropology and artmaking. Both disciplines equip her with the ability to reveal the often-overlooked aspects of daily life. The word peniti derives from titi, a makeshift bridge created from materials found in one’s surroundings. This concept also symbolises an active force, holding together disparate elements. In Mariam’s case, her works weave together her anthropological curiosity with her artistic endeavours.
Peniti can also refer to a person who crosses a titi (bridge). In her artistic journey, Mariam becomes the peniti—traversing the spaces between two lived experiences: one where views of the world are shaped, and another where these views are reimagined within her mind. Her art offers a meeting point, an attempt to bridge these dual perspectives and create an inter-subjective understanding of human experiences.
Working with acrylics, oils, and mixed media, Mariam is drawn to the expressive depth of both expressionism and colour-field art traditions.
This exhibition features nearly twenty selected works from her series Weed, Shadows and Echoes, and Lungs of Earth.
Venue: Living Room, The Arts House
When: 12 - 13 Oct 2024, 11am - 6pm
By: The Arts House at the Old Parliament
