Jaafar Latiff: In the Time of Textile

Welcome to Jaafar Latiff: In the Time of Textile. My name is Sze. I’m the curator of this section, and I’ll be your guide. Jaafar Latiff was a local artist acclaimed for his ground-breaking work in batik and abstract painting. His practice spanned over four decades, from the 1960s until his passing in 2007. Born in 1937, Jaafar taught himself art with borrowed books and materials from his uncle, a graphic artist. His father had passed away when he was young, and as the eldest child, Jaafar chose to start work rather than attend an art school. He first taught primary school Malay, and later, art and craft. In 1970, he started teaching at Baharuddin Vocational Institute, Singapore’s first design school, and found his calling as an art educator. For over 20 years, he taught at various art schools, including Baharuddin, Temasek Polytechnic, the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts and LASALLE College of the Arts. Jaafar created his art at home. For the most part, this was a humble HDB flat in Bukit Merah, shared with his family and their many cats. For more space, he also worked in the common corridor at night or on weekends, when it was quieter. Take your time tracing his story through the timeline, photos and archival materials here. You’ll also see some of Jaafar’s paintings and sketches, and how his art developed over the years. Afterwards, make your way to the wall right behind you. Your tour will continue there.