Nik Fahmee spent his childhood in Penang (All photos: Nik Fahmee)
Options: Congratulations on In Her Garden — Art and Penang Stories, your fourth book. And with a Penang twist this time. Tell us about its creation.
Nik Fahmee: This endeavour is dedicated to my late mother. She was everything Penang, and Penang was everything for her too. I decided to compile stories about the island and growing up there, with a focus on her this time. This new book includes selected stories from my previous three titles — Ginger Biscuits (2022), Butterflies in my Stomach (2023) and Walking Back Home (May 2025) — and some new and unpublished ones too. I have chosen to focus on Penang stories because, like my mother, I am always happy to talk about my life there, particularly my childhood days. I am also truly honoured to be invited to participate in this year’s George Town Literary Festival (GTLF), which ended on Dec 1. I don’t think I would be doing this book if GTLF was not in the picture.
What are some of your favourite Penang memories?
I had a glorious time growing up there. Memories are aplenty, including taking the public bus, walking to school and going to my tuition classes, parties in friends’ houses and on the beach, staying home and playing crazy games with my sisters, going to Dewan Sri Pinang library, looking out the window from the Penang Port Commission, my father’s office and clinic, watching the Grand Prix and having meals together as a family. Penang is home to me.
What has disappeared from Penang that you miss most?
My mother. She left us in 2018 and we sold the house a few years later. Since you asked what disappeared for me that is substantial, it would be ibu. Penang is not Penang without her. Everything else are merely objects: buildings, roads, stuff and things, and street corners — things and new developments that are meant to change.
Your relationship with Malaysia’s artists has always been remarkable. Tell us about the artwork for the cover of In Her Garden.
The front cover is Bunga Delima I and on the back is Bunga Delima II by Abu Bakar Idris. I had other options of flora and fauna to choose from, but decided on these flowers because it felt right. At the moment of deciding, I asked myself what my mother would have chosen. She was someone who loved flowers and pokok. She would have picked something easy and sweet like the pomegranate flower. She wouldn’t have chosen anything loud and bright.
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Everyone knows of your love of art. But what about gardens? Are you into nature yourself?
I am. But I am not as passionate about gardening as my mother. I do love being outdoors in nature, though. I’d rather be outdoors than trapped inside.
What are you reading right now?
I am reading The Best Short Stories, the O Henry Prize winners, edited by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.
What are you listening to right now?
I am not into music so much. But I need to get back to listening to Green Day’s hits so as to prepare myself for their concert in Kuala Lumpur next February! My daughter and I have tickets.
What are the five places you’d send us to eat in Penang?
Only five? I can easily list more. But off the top of my head, it would be Minah Restaurant in Jelutong. Simple and authentic. Second, Yusof Restaurant in Persiaran Paya Terubong 5, Relau. I love the murtabak here and it’s away from the usual tourist traps. Third, Sin Bee Chew in Lorong Bagan Luar. Only the locals would know how fantastic this place is. It was my father and mother’s favourite restaurant ever! The chicken chop and the Hailam food (nasi goreng and bihun) immediately bring me home. Then, there’s Roti Canai Argyll road (or Aga road, as the locals call it). We have breakfast here every time we are in Penang. Roti canai soaked in gravy with ayam ros is the best breakfast ever. Finally, Ramzan in Lebuh Ah Quee. The chapati is warm and you can’t stop at just one piece. This is my go-to tea place in town.
What do you think book No 5 would be about?
Book 5 would be about book 5 … when inspiration hits me.
Where are your favourite art-centric destinations to travel to?
New York! I am a sucker for the island of Manhattan and the edgy art scene there. I think the Met (The Metropolitan Museum of Art) and MoMA (The Museum of Modern Art) are two leading art beacons of the world. I have to say Indonesia too. I find the museums and the galleries there authentic and real. To be honest, I am easy when it comes to art. I don’t have a huge preference or anything. Art is organic to me — it has to be based on passion and love.
Describe your idea of a perfect weekend.
Easy mornings and having the children and Nora at home with me. Having some hours alone to read and write. And art hunting!
'In Her Garden — Art and Penang Stories' is complemented by an exhibition featuring works from Nik M Fahmee’s private collection. It is on until Dec 8 at Hin Bus Depot, Jalan Gurdwara, George Town.
This article first appeared on Dec 2, 2024 in The Edge Malaysia.
