Shirin Rafie & Liz Liu Yihui

Where art meets nature

• Shirin and Liz have set up a unique botanical studio
• They are a complimentary duo: Shirin trained in the arts, Liz in ecology
• Their first work was a simple abstract painting using blueberry ink

It all started with packets of mouldy blueberries: Shirin Rafie and Liz Liu Yihui mashed and strained them into their first bottle of natural ink. This kitchen experiment kickstarted the duo’s research into natural pigments available in Singapore. Other than kitchen scraps, they also turned to material from forests, community gardens, even industrial waste yards. They co-started Wild Dot as a platform to document their ink-making processes and the landscape of natural pigments in Singapore. Today, going from strength to strength, Wild Dot is a botanical ink-making studio that specialises in creating with natural pigments. They make watercolours and living art pieces, as well as host Art with Nature experiences for people.

Interview

Nicky Loh ©Michelangelo Foundation

Nicky Loh ©Michelangelo Foundation

Why did you choose this craft?

Shirin: We choose this craft thanks to our combined interests in art and plants. It is a wonderful synthesis of our passions and backgrounds: my training is in the arts and Liz's training is in ecology. And it is awesome to be able to introduce it to more people in Singapore.

In what way is your craft linked to the territory?

Liz: All the plants and earth we use to make our pigments are found in our local landscape. Our colour exploration started with some mouldy berries. Not knowing what else we could do with the berries, we decided to mash and strain them into our first bottle of ink!

What are your sources of inspiration?

Shirin: Works of other natural colour makers, such as certain indigenous communities as well as contemporary ink-makers. We apply techniques learnt from others to contemporary issues such as environmental awareness and education.

How would you define what you do?

Liz: We are a botanical art studio who uses dye extraction methods with plants, lake pigmentation and paint making. We also curate nature art experiences as a way for urbanites in Singapore to interact deeper with nature.

Shirin Rafie & Liz Liu Yihui are rising stars: they began their career in 2019 and they started teaching in 2021

Works

Nicky Loh ©Michelangelo Foundation

Nicky Loh ©Michelangelo Foundation

Nicky Loh ©Michelangelo Foundation

Where