#shikasketchbook
Shika, originally from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, wears multiple creative hats as an illustrator, visual, and sound artist. Her journey began in design agencies, encompassing tasks like storyboarding, art direction, mural creation, zine crafting, and drawing workshops. Drawing inspiration from 80s and 90s nostalgia, video games, and anime, Shika weaves her personal experience as a Transwoman in Malaysia into her art.Her artistic evolution traces back to 1999 when she worked as a web designer, utilizing Microsoft Frontpage and Angelfire blogs to showcase her early artwork. Over time, she transitioned to platforms like Flickr, Facebook, and Instagram. In 2007, she integrated activism into her work while undergoing a personal transition, contributing visuals to local NGOs. Her work gained recognition with exhibitions in Singapore, Helsinki, Madrid, Tokyo, and Guangdong, China.Shika delved into pixel art in 2016 during her time in Helsinki, and it quickly became her preferred art form, driven by nostalgia and a visual language from the past. In 2018, she ventured into punk rock music with her band Tingtongketz, engaging in the underground scene with other queer musicians in Kuala Lumpur. Simultaneously, she explored electronic music under the alias Stella Nova Transnita.In July 2022, Shika moved to London, aspiring to pursue a game design scholarship from Code Coven, designed for marginalized women in gaming. Although shortlisted after two successful interviews, she ultimately faced rejection due to a limited number of available seats. Undeterred, she discovered Pico8, teaching herself Lua through online tutorials such as NerdyTeachers, Lazy Dev, SpaceCat, and a few others. Pico8's lightweight nature and smooth particle system captivated Shika, inspiring her as an amateur animator.In April 2023, she released her electronic music album, 'Bima Saxti,' under the name Stella Nova Transnita on major platforms and continued experimenting with Pico8, balancing between art and coding.
https://www.instagram.com/shikasketchbook/?hl=en
and her other shenanigans
https://www.behance.net/shieko
https://shikasketchbook.itch.io/
About
#shikasketchbook - visual
#stellanovatransnita - electronic/sound
#tingtongketz - punkrock musicTimeline:
2022/2023
Updated Behance
https://www.behance.net/shieko6July23
Colors of pride/The social hub Berlin
https://www.instagram.com/p/CuIEAdpL9bH/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==June23
#shikasketchbook Uni application pdf
https://drive.google.com/file/d/19TfTGYRAHfgpARg4PdrNWnVc6tPeOZU/view3-25June2023
EXIST/WUJUD Group Exhibition
https://www.temu.my/post/visit-exist-wujud-exhibition21June2023
TingTong @ FT Festival London
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ej5Sqn4h6Ds27Apri2023
#stellnovatransnita #bimasaxti Bandcamp
https://tingtongketz.bandcamp.com/album/bima-saxti-225April2023
#stellanovatransnita #bimasaxti Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/album/4beL2ynikNtgeQoWEQ8qdb17April2023
Artstation
https://www.artstation.com/shikasketchbook4April23
zines/fonts at ko-fi.com
https://ko-fi.com/shikasketchbook/shopAzmyl Yunor - Skodeng Blues [Official Music Video]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KvHNujacmAgJanuary2023
Shikasketchbook GameDev
https://shikasketchbook.itch.io27Nov22
Drawing workshop + LondonLGBTQ centre
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CldGBhStWa/?igshid=MTc4MmM1YmI2Ng==30June2022
Artist Changemaker/Global Fund for Women
https://www.globalfundforwomen.org/what-we-do/voice/campaigns/artist-changemaker-program/shika/9May-25June 2022
Group Exhibition
'Possible Futures/Impossible Present'
http://www.aplusart.asia/exhibitions/steep-and-sample-possible-futures-impossible-present22March2022
Trying Tezos
(Abandoned. Need more time)
https://teia.art/shikasketchbook20OCt-20Nov
DRESS/ADDRESS [2021]
https://www.greyprojects.org/news/dressaddress12Oct-13Nov 2021
WLG Incubator Young Artists Show 2021 Alya Hatta, Anwar Suhaimi, Shika
12 October – 13 November 2021
https://weiling-gallery.com/gallery/wlg-incubator/Jun2021
https://craftora.com/human-rights-in-asean-cartoonists-perspective/shika-corona/21stMarch2021
Trying NFTs
(not successful)
Opensea/shikasketchbook
https://opensea.io/accounts/shikasketchbook30thJanuary-24thApril2021
Anthology of metaverse/
http://anthologyofmetaverses.com/
Curated by James LyDec 2020 - Feb 2021
Group exhibition, GhuangZhou China. a collaboration with curator Simon Soon & Roger Nelson
https://www.worldartfoundations.com/kadist-and-guangdong-times-museum-frequencies-of-tradition/8July2020
Meet Malaysia's LGBTQ punk rockers
https://asia.nikkei.com/Life-Arts/Life/Meet-Malaysia-s-LGBTQ-punk-rockers29March2019
Different note in conservative Malaysia [29March2019]
https://nypost.com/2019/03/29/transgender-guitarist-strikes-a-different-note-in-conservative-malaysia/29March2019
Transgender guitarist strikes.. [29March2019]
https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2019/03/29/transgender-guitarist-strikes-a-different-note-in-conservative-malaysia/173763729March2019
Reuters [29March2019]
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-malaysia-lgbt-music-idUSKCN1RA02I29March2019
Reuters/video [29March2019]
https://www.reuters.com/video/watch/idRCV006INO6June2019
Some Asian Governments Claim LGBTQ.. [6June2019]
https://www.vice.com/en/article/kzmpyy/some-asian-governments-claim-lgbtq-culture-is-a-western-invention-heres-why-thats-garbagearticle:NYU ShangHai/2019
https://cga.shanghai.nyu.edu/2019-annual-conference-shieko/Center for Global Asia/Shang Hai [2019]
https://cga.shanghai.nyu.edu/2019-annual-conference-shieko/14Dec19
Artist talk / Malaysia Design Archive, Zhong San, KL31sOct-17Nov19
What are you afraid of? group exhibition. Backroom Gallery
Curated by Sharmin Parameswaran
Aiman Zamri/BB Chun/CC Kua/Sattama/Sarah Radzi/Shika/Shiela Samsuri/Yati
Zhongsan, KL28Sept-6Oct19
Abort the Stigma group exhibition REXKLThe Star [15Dec2018]
https://www.thestar.com.my/news/regional/2018/12/15/how-a-malaysian-transgender-musician-found-her-voice-through-metal-music-in-a-country-that-doesnt-ac/2018
Lagi-lagi Bayi Terbuang mini solo exhibition, ZhongSan
Pink Hibiscus, KL21Dec2017
30SecDrawing Workshop/University Helsinki Art Students[21Dec17]
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjeQg6I5T4XSs7-hgCzUYSoSLa_gi8rWl11Dec2017
Intersection (mini exhibition)
Myymala2 Gallery/space, Helsinki
curated by Perpetuum Mobile, co-organised by HIAP (Helsinki International Artist Program) Funded by Helsinki City Culture Office, event co-funded by The Finnish Culture Found (Suomen Kulttuurirahasto
https://fb.me/e/cMG8YveAk15-23Dec2017
FemF Art group exhibition
3rd Space Gallery, Helsinki
Ramina Habibollah & Nayab Ikram, Sepideh Rahaa, Carmen Baltzar, Saadia Hussain, Mahoyo, Crystal Z Campbell, Shieko Reto, Diana Soria HernandezAugust 2017
The AR PAVILION – Madrid: COLLATERAL II
An exhibition at MATADERO Madrid by Perpetuum Mobilε (PM) in the context of Transeuropa, with the artists Erkan Özgen (Diyarbakir), Issa Touma (Aleppo), Chto Delat (St. Petersburg) and Shieko Reto (Kuala Lumpur). Co-Funded by the Creative Europe Programme of the European Union. Curated by Ivor Stodolsky and Marita Muukkonen of PM.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xikUX9UaumQMay2017
HIAP Open studio
Suomenlinna HelsinkiJan-25March2017
Gender:Human exhibition
Mural/artist talk
Nordisk KulturKontakt
Artist at Risk program/
Perpetuum Mobile
https://m.facebook.com/events/1708561566125231/Jan 2017 - Nov 2017
Artist at risk residency / HIAP
Helsinki, Finland
mural, artist talk, exhibitions
http://www.hiap.fi/artist/shieko-retohttps://artistsatrisk.org/2017/01/03/sheiko-reito-long-term-resident-artist-at-risk-at-safe-haven-helsinki/?lang=enhttps://svenska.yle.fi/artikel/2017/12/12/fortryckta-politiska-konstnarer-kan-andas-ut-pa-sveaborg13-14August2016
Slumba-Chamber group exhibition
Curated by Dhiyannah Hasan
pixel art/gif animationMay 2016
Artist talk for Theatre Academy, University of the Arts Performance, Art master students organised and curated by Prof. Ray LangenbachJust Seed interview 2016
https://justseeds.org/shieko-retos-gifs/27March2016
Sharon Chin preview
https://sharonchin.com/notes-on-shikashieko-retos-buang-bayi/Mar 2016 - Mar 2016
First solo exhibition ranging works from 2008 - 2016 at Kerbau works studio in Bangsar
Kuala Lumpur, MalaysiaMay2016
Peasants & proletariats group exhibition, Xin Art Space, curate by Tan Sei Hon
Artist: Chuah Thean Teng, veteran artists Lai Loong Sung and Mansoor Ibrahim, Poodien, Shieko Reto, the Pangrok Sulap collective and Rat Heist.Mar 2015 - Apr 2015
Artist / Volunteer / Curator
The Art Of Giving: Nobody Gets Left Behind exhibition, Black Box Publika
"https://www.thestar.com.my/lifestyle/culture/2015/04/02/exhibition-raises-funds-for-marginalised-chow-kit-community13March2016
First solo exhibition/BuangBayi/(13March2016)
https://www.thestar.com.my/lifestyle/culture/2016/03/13/no-babies-were-harmed-in-the-making-of-buang-bayi25thApril2015
Kongketron Art Exhibition
(1st band performance)10Dec2015
SingularRhapsody/TheStar
https://www.thestar.com.my/lifestyle/culture/2015/12/10/self-taught-art-at-singular-rhapsody2014
Transmission Exhibition2
Akta Community Center Shijuku
Asian Public Intellectuals / Nippon Foundation 2013/20142014
Transmission Exhibition1
ICU (International Christian University) Public library
Asian Public Intellectuals / Nippon Foundation 2013/20142014
Kunitachi Queer Film Festival
Exhibit and Queer Film screening
Asian Public Intellectuals / Nippon Foundation 2013/2014Oct 2013 - Feb 2014
Singapore Biennale 2013
'If the world changed'video by Natasha Yong:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRDWsczLs5wvideo by Singapore Art Museum
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNdx5QA2wpIMay 2013
TransScreen Transgender Film Festival
with fellow writer Julya Oui
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Visual exhibition display during the Trans File festival in Amsterdam16Feb-23rdFeb 2013
Apa Cerite group exhibition in Black Box Gallery, Publika with fellow artists BBChun and Snooze
Puplika, Kuala Lumpur, MalaysiaMay-June2012
Makanlah Buah-buahan Tempatan
group exhibiiton, Publika, KLMay 2012
Nike Cortez 40th anniversary exhibition, art direction & installation
Bangsar MalaysiaMar 2012
Mini Cooper Malaysia
Live paintings on a Mini Cooper car for an electronic music festival
Klia stadiumSep 2011
Balai seni visual negara
Mural art using duct tape for office interior at Balai Senior Visual NegaraAug 2010
Visual exhibition : "IndigNation6 visual art exhibition at the Attic/My ArtSpace SingaporeMar 2010
Publika, White Box gallery
Al-Kesah/Once upon a time in Malaysia, a group exhibition for Map Arts Festival @ Map KL in White Box Gallery Publika4th - 21st Feb
Kuala Lumpur Dreaming: A group exhibition by the Annexe Gallery
Central Market kuala Lumpur2010
Mural art facilitator for Chow Kit Kita community art project for local children2010
Vans Malaysia, Sunway Pyramid
Illustrations and live paintings on skateboards organised by Vans and Wheel Love skateshop at Subway Pyramid, MalaysiaDec 2009
Joint-Action-Group for Gender Equality Shah Alam
Mural and live performances for Projek Sentuh. A 16 days violence against women campaign organised by J.A.GNov 2009
Wheel Love skateshop Subang
Exterior mural art for Wheel Love skateshopDec 2008
Dell Malaysia
Pavilion shopping center
Dell Christmas display (Reindeer Sculpture paintings) at the Curve Shipping CenterApr 2008
Digital Illustrations for a giant Fraser & Neave Holdings Bhd (F&N) Billboards at KLCC with fellow artist Orkibal. F&N Road Tour ,(Live paintings demonstrations):
Kuala Lumpur,Kedah,Ipoh,PenangFeb 2008
Zouk kuala lumpur
Live Street party graffiti paintings / mural for Zouk organised by StreethingOct 2007
Toyota Capital Malaysia Sdn. Bhd.
The Curve
Live paintings on Toyota Vios fiberglass car model, official launch eventOct 2007
KTM Berhad, KL.Sentral
Let's Art Move U (LAMU) organised live mural art paintings with fellow artists Orkibal & Tha-BMay 2007
Adidas malaysia
kLCC Adidas flagship store muralMar 2007
"Throw Up - our Lab' group exhibition
*scape Gallery, National Youth Council Singapore. Graffiti art exhibition, National Youth Council Singapore2003
Moleskin group exhibition, Tokyo
Publications
Publications:
June2021
Craftora/Asean Human Rights
https://craftora.com/human-rights-in-asean-cartoonists-perspective/shika-corona/21stMarch2021
Opensea/shikasketchbook
https://opensea.io/accounts/shikasketchbook27thJan2021
https://ocula.com/magazine/insights/kadist-brings-tradition-to-life-in-guangdong/12Dec2020 - 7Feb2021
https://www.worldartfoundations.com/kadist-and-guangdong-times-museum-frequencies-of-tradition/Jan2020
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ChML_nGrL8&feature=youtu.beNov2020
https://mekongreview.com/modesty-culture/Jul2020
https://asia.nikkei.com/Life-Arts/Life/Meet-Malaysia-s-LGBTQ-punk-rockersDec 2019
https://www.scmp.com/culture/music/article/2177991/how-malaysian-transgender-musician-found-her-voice-through-metal-musicNYU, Shang Hai
https://cga.shanghai.nyu.edu/2019-annual-conference-shieko/11Sep19 iL Venerdi magazine
Journalist: Laura Silvia Battagila2017
https://artistsatrisk.org/2017/11/08/ar-pavilion-madrid-collateral-ii/?lang=enhttps://svenska.yle.fi/artikel/2017/12/12/fortryckta-politiska-konstnarer-kan-andas-ut-pa-sveaborghttps://www.hiap.fi/resident/shieko-reto/https://www.perpetualmobile.org/sheiko-reito-long-term-resident-artist-risk-safe-haven-helsinki/?lang=enSep016
https://justseeds.org/shieko-retos-gifs/Aug2016
http://artklitique.blogspot.com/2016/08/pixel-gifs-by-shika-corona-shieko-reto.html2016
https://sharonchin.com/notes-on-shikashieko-retos-buang-bayi/2015
https://www.thestar.com.my/lifestyle/culture/2015/12/10/self-taught-art-at-singular-rhapsodyJul 2015
Anthology Lukis + Tulis by Fixi publication for Malaysia UNESCO Day 2015
Fixi publication
Kuala Lumpur, MalaysiaMar 2015 - Apr 2015
Artist / Volunteer / Curator
The Art Of Giving: Nobody Gets Left Behind exhibition, Black Box Publika
Publika / Black Box
"https://www.thestar.com.my/lifestyle/culture/2015/04/02/exhibition-raises-funds-for-marginalised-chow-kit-communityThe Art of Giving: Nobody Gets Left Behind aims to raise funds for the urban poor and marginalised community in downtown Kuala Lumpur.
She may not be a household name but illustrator Shieko Reto has been thrilling local art lovers with her whimsical and hilarious art for a few years now. Drawn on diverse canvas – from zines to tote bags, posters and postcards – her deceptively simple cartoons belie the gravity of her subject: the experience of trans women in a prejudiced society.
Her Waiting Room installation, shown at the Singapore Art Biennale in 2013, in particular captures the inner world of transgender persons in Malaysia, where transgender issues are still taboo and trans people live in waiting their whole life – ”waiting to heal from surgery, waiting (for a reply) for the job application, waiting for opportunities in life and waiting for acceptance from family and friends”, she said in an interview for the Singapore Art Museum.
It is only apt that now Waiting Room is finally on show in Malaysia, it is to help raise funds for the marginalised communities of Chow Kit whose lives are in limbo after the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development abruptly stopped the funding to their home and refuge, Pusat Bantuan Khidmat Sosial (Social Assistance and Services Centre or PBKS).
Part of The Art Of Giving: Nobody Gets Left Behind exhibition at Black Box MAP, Publika, Solaris Dutamas, which ends on April 5, Waiting Room is one of more than 20 works by eclectic artists who have come together in support of SEED (Social and Enabling Environment Development), a non-profit community organisation staffed by members of the communities themselves which ran the PBKS centre in Chow Kit."2013
Singapore Biennale 2013,
Singapore Art Museum
""This installation, titled Waiting Room, is Reto’s contribution for the Singapore Biennale 2013. Reto’s experience as a transgendered person informs her art practice in many ways. Much of her work is focused on her personal life and the struggles she has endured to establish a voice for herself and the members of her community. Waiting Room draws to attention the time spent for a transgendered person waiting to be ‘transformed’ and ‘accepted’ by the community. Her physical transformation from male to female has required her to spend many hours in waiting rooms for medical appointments, such as for gender reassignment surgery and breast augmentation. She also waits for legislation to pass and documents to be processed in order for her new transformation to be legally approved. In addition, she must also wait for her request to file the changing of her name, as well as wait for documents for insurance, bank loans and other formal entities. On a personal level, she waits for her family’s acceptance and recognition by others within her own country. Chairs in the constructed waiting room within the installation are imprinted with messages from the artist, beckoning viewers to recognise the differences between all individuals. Reto has designed magazines that touch on transgender issues located within the installation. Figures demonstrate the process of waiting in an informative manner, but also with a touch of playfulness. Surgical supplies, signage and other objects found within a medical office are also illustrated in Reto’s drawings. All colours are omitted in her images, with only basic black lines drawn upon white paper. Rather than appearing stark, the artist’s choice in colours and manner of depiction result in a work that is simple and honest.
https://www.behance.net/gallery/27510881/Exhibition-Singapore-Biennale-2013""Mar 2013
'Today and tomorrow', a book that offers a glimpse at the world of emerging Malaysian artists published by GDP Architects Kamil Merican
GDP Architects
Kuala Lumpur, MalaysiaSep 2012
Esquire magazine
Editorial Illustration for Malaysia's Esquire Magazine (August issue)
Kuala Lumpur, MalaysiaAug 2012
Editorial illustrations for NGO KRYSS
Art & Illustration for 'Violence is not our culture' notebook by NGO KRYSS
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia2012
Indie band, Ferns
Character design and illustration for local indie band 'Ferns' music videoDec 2008 - Dec 2011
Freelance Graphic Designer/Illustrator
Pusat Komas
section 7 petaling jayaNov 2011
Ferns music
Freelance Illustrator
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Illustrations and CD design for local indie band 'Ferns'Jul 2008
Dignity International, Petaling Jaya
Illustrations for Human Rights training manual (Poverty to Dignity) for Dignity International and Pusat KomasApr 2008
Digital Illustrations for a giant Fraser & Neave Holdings Bhd (F&N) Billboards at KLCC with fellow artist Orkibal2003
Toophat 360 album cover designNov 2006
Nike Malaysia, Midvalley megamall
Illustrations, art direction & graphics for Nike Zoom Air launch sneakers (billboards for Nike Midvalley Megamall store and KLCC LRT station)2004
Editorial illustrations
Kisah-kisah Haiwan Orang Asli
Center for Orang Asli Concerns
Indigenous folklore stories about animals in Peninsula Malaysia and Borneo.
author:Lim Boo Liat
subject: History & Biography
email:
any inquiries regarding commission work or questions please email: