DON'T THINK SO MUCH, JUST DRAW

THROUGH HER GRASSROOTS PROJECT SENISINI, IFFAH SYAFIQAH IS OPENING DOORS FOR ANYONE TO EXPLORE HIS OR HER CREATIVE POTENTIAL: ALL ARE WELCOME, ZERO EXPERIENCE REQUIRED. JUST PICK UP A PENCIL, PAINTBRUSH OR CAMERA, AND HAVE FUN. KENG YANG SHUEN FINDS OUT HOW AND WHY SHE'S MAKING THE ARTS A TOOL FOR DEMOCRACY AND COMMUNITY-BUILDING.

- 

The arts industry has a reputation for gatekeeping and it's seldom a welcoming space for those who aren't from the scene, says Iffah Syafiqah. The 25-year-old isn't an artist – in fact, she works as a commercial analyst.

While studying business and psychology in London as an undergraduate though, the hobbyist film-maker came across and fell in love with arts and crafts clubs that welcomed just about anyone interested to take part and pick up a new cultural activity, regardless of experience and skills. And when she returned home to Singapore last year and found a dearth of similar platforms, she did what any passionate, community-minded Gen Zer would do: start her own.

Launched in August 2024, Senisini organises open-to-all pop-up events that aim to make the arts more accessible, especially to youths here. Its name is Malay for “art here” and usually, all one has to do to join in its diverse range of workshops and meet-ups is to hit the registration link in its Instagram bio (the account handle is @seni.sini).

The first event was an arts club organised for the teens from Muhammadiyah Welfare Home, a local charity that provides guidance, support and even 24/7 residential care for boys aged 10 to 19 who are juvenile offenders, under the Family Guidance Order, homeless, neglected or abused. During that session, Iffah and her team – comprising 13 other volunteers who hail from different fields in the creative industry and are all contributing to Senisini pro bono – taught participants how to draw and, more importantly, how to have fun while doing so.

Throughout Senisini's endeavours (there have been 15 events to date), it's not uncommon for the team to hear participants comment that they're “bad” at art, says Iffah, and this is ultimately what Senisini wants to change. Its ethos: instead of having to be polished or perfect, art should simply be seen as a healthy avenue for self-expression.