Crossing Boundaries －Sharifah Zuriah Aljeffri: Her Art and Life

Exhibition Introduction

Sharifah Zuriah Aljeffri is a female artist, writer, social activist, and peacemaker who has been active in Malaysia and internationally for many years.

She was born in 1938 in Sungai Petani, Kedah, Malaysia, a place surrounded by nature’s beauty. She grew up in a family that valued multiculturalism and inclusivity, which laid the foundation for her future artistic development. She later went to London to study law, a transformational journey that turned her into a modern female intellectual unafraid to confront social injustice. Upon returning to Malaysia, she actively engaged in humanitarian activities with the Malaysian Red Crescent Society, serving as a member of the Training Committee and Welfare Group. In 1971, she began a 21-year tenure as the Cultural Affairs Advisor at the United States Embassy in Malaysia.

In 1976, she began studying Chinese ink painting under the mentorship of the renowned child prodigy artist, Anthony Sum, through a fortuitous opportunity. Two years later, in 1978, she held her very first solo exhibition, causing a sensation in the art world. Prominent Malaysian artist the late Datuk Syed Ahmad Jamal (1929 – 2011), in a newspaper commentary, titled it “A first by a Malay artist”. In Malaysia’s multicultural and multiracial society, Sharifah Zuriah has acted as a cultural bridge, opening a significant chapter in cultural exchange and fusion. 

Sharifah Zuriah devoted her life to her artistic creations, curating and organising art exhibitions and exchanges both nationally and internationally. She also dedicated herself to activities involving interfaith dialogues and exchanges. She is one of the founding members of “Sisters in Islam (SIS)”, an organisation that has long been committed to upholding women’s rights within Islam and actively promoting women’s roles in the mission of peace. Additionally, she was also one of the founders of the “Malaysian Interfaith Network (MIN)”, organising annual interfaith dialogues and advocating on the role of religion in promoting peace. Her viewpoints and social commentaries have been published in newspapers and publications both nationally and internationally. 

Through her proactive efforts, she paved the way to awaken people’s moral conscience through compassion and love, and conveyed the message of peace and harmony  through art and religious teachings. She advocated for the utilisation of the power of art and faith to achieve nonviolent resistance, a principle that is in line with Tolstoy’s idea of “combating evil without resorting to violence” and aligns with the values and initiatives of Soka Gakkai towards transforming a culture of violence into a culture of peace in society through culture and education.

We firmly believe that the fundamental solution to resolve conflicts in the world, social division, and human anxieties and insecurities lies in eliminating the roots of violence stemming from animosity, hatred, exclusion, and mistrust from the depths of human hearts, as well as establishing a culture of peace that involves mutual respect, understanding, and tolerance.

Sharifah Zuriah, who celebrates her 85th birthday this year, has dedicated 45 years to her artistic journey. Soka Gakkai Malaysia is honoured to organise this large-scale exhibition and publish the art catalogue, showcasing her artistic creations from various periods. It also features important images and documents highlighting her unwavering dedication to advancing art, humanitarian efforts, peace, and interfaith dialogue throughout her life. 

The exhibition is divided into six sections:

• “Sense of Harmony: Early Works”
• “Colours of the Wind: Nature”
• “Symbol of Spiritual Triumph: Lotus”
• “Strokes of Compassion: Calligraphy”
• “In the Footsteps of Georgia O’Keeffe: Charcoal Flora”
• “Ode to Joy: Recent Works”

showcasing her unique portrayal of the harmony of a multicultural society and “artistic conception of peace”.

Exhibition opening hours: 11 am – 5 pm (Closed on Mondays)
Prior appointment is required for groups of more than 20 people. Please get in touch with us at https://b.link/WhatsApp_SokaPCE