“My solace is in art as through art I am able to express my emotions into words”
A REGULAR presence at 27 Scotts, a cafe at the back end of Bangsar Shopping Centre, one would assume that Tunku Kamariah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah Almarhum Sultan Iskandar is just another striking tai tai who chooses to spend her hours entertaining friends over food and drinks at the popular eatery.
In fact, she frequents the cafe and uses it as a base for her various meetings – and in the lull in between – to people-watch and get inspiration as she sketches.
Tunku Puteri (as she is known) hails from the Royal Family of Johor – the eldest child of His Majesty the late Sultan Iskandar of Johor and Her Royal Highness Enche’ Besar Khalsom Abdullah.
She is the elder sister to the current Sultan of Johor, His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar and the Raja Permaisuri Agong, Her Majesty Tunku Hajah Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah.
The visual artist with an interior architecture degree had from a young age been very much indulged in her love of art by her parents. She gives us a glimpse of just how ordinary her childhood was growing up in the royal household.
Her father, the late Sultan of Johor, used to personally drive her to and from school, where they would occasionally stop at the bookstore afterwards for art supplies.
A frequent visitor to the eateries at Lido beachfront in Johor Bahru, the late sultan was popular with his subjects and down-to-earth with anyone who approached them.
Tunku Kamariah delves deep into how social media, technology and pop culture have shaped her art and the medium she uses to express herself.
She discusses her upcoming exhibition, Reemergence of My Soul, where a whole new adventurous and eclectic expression has emerged from her debut exhibition held in 2021 titled By the Illumination of the Moon, which reflected her new passage in life.
This upcoming showcase will also feature the launch of Tunku Kamariah’s first limited-edition lifestyle collection.
Reemergence of My Soul is open to the public and will be held at the function room, Serai Bukit Bandaraya, Bangsar from 10am to 4pm on Saturday, March 18. – The Vibes, March 14, 2023
