Young artist dabbles in pop culture and commerce

Creative pursuit: Enya posing with Teh and Trey Yeong at her booth during the KLABF.

KUALA LUMPUR: At a glance, the whimsical artwork displayed among the booths at a book fair here appears to have been done by a professional.

But it was actually the handiwork of 11-year-old Enya Lim.

“I usually draw things that I am passionate about. Right now, it is all about skateboarding and people’s sense of style.

“What is great about making art is you can do it everywhere, with your iPad or watercolours, and with friends or family,” she said during an interview at the Kuala Lumpur Art Book Fair (KLABF) 2023 on Friday.

Enya was at the fair tending to her booth like a professional for anyone who wanted know more about her art.

She would explain to visitors that her art was inspired by her trips overseas, and her favourite comic artist Black Jellyfish and children’s comic Kokko and May.

The KLABF ended yesterday.

The girl, with the help of her parents, had participated in four art exhibitions in Kuala Lumpur this year alone.

“I am so happy I managed to publish two art books just before the year end, titled Planet of Monsters and Everyone is Perfect, at my last exhibition,” said the eldest of two siblings.

Enya said she would use every opportunity to draw.

“I like drawing using different materials because the outcome is different, so I try various versions with drawing using my iPad.

“Also with digital drawings, my parents can print them out exactly as I want them to be.

“But painting is different because I can do it with my brother or friends and spend time with them,” she said.

During the three-day fair, T-shirts and skateboards were on display for purchase adorned with her colourful drawings of cool figures in trendy clothes or her favourite bubble tea being turned into stickers.

Tiffany Teh said she decided to register her daughter in art exhibitions so that it could boost her confidence as an artist.

“Enya started drawing when she was three. The reason we encouraged her to join exhibitions is to create an opportunity to develop her social skills with people who she aspires to be,” she said.