Lili Muslihah Mujtaba,

Artist, Educator, Theatre Practitioner

‘Weaving, Interweaving: Interlacing Tradition into Contemporary Movement’

This artwork explores the rich weaving traditions of Southeast Asia, particularly in the Malay Archipelago. Growing up ethnically Malay, I was raised in a vibrant traditional Malay arts scene where I flourished as a dancer, musician and theatre maker. My creative journey also extends backstage where, as a production stage manager, I collaborate closely with directors, designers and other artists to bring performances to life.

Drawing inspiration from the act of weaving, this piece reimagines traditional Malay dance movements through a contemporary lens. Using fabric and ribbons to reflect the essence of ‘gotong-royong’, the Malay concept of community spirit, the choreography embodies both the collaborative spirit and the trial-and-error nature of the craft.

Utilising my own chiffon headscarves known as the hijab, the material symbolises faith and connectedness. Here the fabric signifies the thread that binds people together, reflecting a sense of cohesiveness and collective spirit.

I hope to inspire art educators to reinterpret and rework old traditions to create new works.  For instance, students who learn about traditional weaving techniques could translate them into movement or other artistic forms, connecting with their cultural heritage in new, engaging ways.

This artwork demonstrates the unlimited possibilities of artistic explorations and encourages educators to embrace similar approaches in their classrooms and beyond.

Beyond the final woven product, the film ‘Weaving, Interweaving’, documents the rehearsal process and highlights the power of multidisciplinary cohesion between ideas, dancers, materials and space; a powerful collaborative model that is evident in arts education.

Movement Artists (Research participants):
Lee Si Hui
Tajiyah Sulwana
Pearl Lee

Music Credits:
Oud Solo – Space Gambus Experiment
Onang Onang – Dessy
Hati Bakti – Riduan Zalani