In our November issue, we invite five Malaysian artists to interpret the theme of “hope” through their art. In the midst of our current social climate, we explore how art can be more than a cultural tool — it is also a medium of communication that can inspire change and instil hope within our community.
If you’ve entered the world of Times New Romance at all, you’ll quickly notice a repeating motif: a woman alone, poised, with her hair as the centrepiece. Sheena Liam, the mind behind Times New Romance, seeks to explore the symbolic power of hair within the complex nature of femininity. Known for her unique approach to textile art — especially with embroidery — Sheena’s art blends classical techniques with modern narratives.
Sheena’s journey into the art world began organically. “I was always drawing and sewing as a child, but I didn’t initially see it as a career,” the artist tells Lifestyle Asia. “My background in fashion and modelling gave me a deep appreciation for form, fabric, and gesture. This later translated into my embroidery practice.” And thus what began as a quiet, personal outlet later evolved into Times New Romance — a body of work that captures moments of introspection and womanhood in a medium that felt intimate and honest.
Honesty is not something easy to come by these days. In an age where far too much information gets shared faster than our brains can catch up, it often feels like we’re headed somewhere bleak. Nearly every day, tragedy — especially for our young women and girls — hits headline news, and it feels as though the world has begun to close in on itself. Perhaps people are losing sight of the little things that can make a big difference. Perhaps people are losing hope.
“Art allows us to slow down and feel, it cuts through noise,” Sheena adds. “In a time when everything is so instant, I think the act of making or engaging with something handmade reminds us of empathy. Change doesn’t always start with grand gestures; sometimes it begins with seeing the world differently. If my work can give someone a gentle pause, or a moment of recognition, that’s enough — that’s hope taking shape.”
In Girl With Braid, the subject, a lone woman, is seen with her hand splayed across her face. She releases a sigh as she lets her hand drift. “For me, hope isn’t something bright or distant, it’s something fragile that exists in the everyday,” Sheena elaborates. “The animation I created for this cover captures a moment of quiet resilience. A sigh often carries fatigue, grief, or surrender, yet in that same act lies resilience: the body’s way of releasing tension so that it can begin again. I worked with my good friend and talented artist Fakhrur Maricar (@fakhthat) on animating the piece, we didn’t have a lot of time so I pulled out this older piece that was exhibited in Belfast during the pandemic.” The hope that’s portrayed in Girl With Braid is subtle. It is a breath caught in the moment.
“I was doing live drawing classes in London and it is still my preferred working method,” she says, of her personal art style that she has come to develop over the course of career. Her art style emerged naturally from repetition and limitation. “I start with sketches, then transfer them to raw canvas before embroidering. The figures are always women, often caught between grace and vulnerability. My process is meditative: there’s a tension between precision and imperfection that I’ve learned to embrace.”
Sheena Liam’s first solo exhibition was held in 2018, and since then, her journey with art has been what she describes as both “humbling” and “unpredictable”. “I started by making small pieces in the long lines during castings, and now have had the privilege of showing them around the world,” she shares. “What’s changed most is my relationship with patience. I’ve learned that quiet work can resonate deeply. I’ve also grown more confident in trusting my own rhythm, even when it doesn’t align with trends or expectations.”
“Girl With Braid” Artwork by Sheena Liam, Animated by Fakhrur Maricar
Note : The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.