Fruit carving competitions inspired Ika Sharom to take up printmaking art

A close-up detail of Ika's ‘Kaseh Bonda’, a coloured lino print. Photo: Ika Sharom

As a curious child, Syafiqah Sharom – better known as Ika – used to watch her mother transform fruit into works of art. Her mother participated in numerous fruit carving competitions and young Ika would watch her in fascination.

“She loves carving fruit and she used to enter so many competitions. It was amazing to watch her doing it. All the detailing, it just blew my mind. Whenever there is a wedding for a family member or a friend, she would carve fruit into flower shapes to use as table decorations. She really inspired me with her creativity,” says Ika, 29, an illustrator and printmaker who is steadily making a name for her self in the art scene with her retro-inspired linocut prints.