My Weekend

Street artist Muhammad Sufian Hamri likes to visit shops in the heartland.
Street artist Muhammad Sufian Hamri likes to visit shops in the heartland. PHOTO: TRASEONE

Muhammad Sufian Hamri, better known as TraseOne or TR853-1, is one of Singapore's most prominent street artists.

The 34-year-old, who is known for his stencilling techniques, organised the Street Graffiti - My Singapore Superheroes exhibition for the Singapore Street Festival. The exhibition, which ends onSunday, is at 313@ Somerset Outdoor Pedestrian Walkway.

He lives in a four-room Housing Board flat in Yishun with his wife, 32, a part-time baker, and their 11-month-old daughter.

What are your weekends like?

I usually do chores, go grocery shopping and spend time with my family at home. I also go to my father's home to help with chores and I occasionally sleep over.

I'm usually up at 5am to say my dawn prayers and feed my daughter. Then I go back to bed and wake up around 7 or 8am.

How do you recharge?

Playing with my daughter and hearing her laugh is my favourite activity. She is like the girl Boo in the animated movie Monsters, Inc (2001). Her energy comes at full force and throws you off.

We play simple games like peek-a-boo and hide-and-seek. I also go through alphabet books and introduce her to colours and objects, or take her out to the market or playground nearby.

What do you like to do on the weekend?

I like to visit shops in the heartland, particularly those in mature estates such as Toa Payohand Chong Pang in Yishun.

You will be surprised at some of the things you can find. A number of the items cost a fraction of those sold in the city.

If you could live in someone's shoes for a weekend, who would it be?

I would be someone from a country with conflict, such as Iraq. I am certain the people's days are hard, yet they have strength to pull themselves through. I think I could learn something from their will to soldier on.

What is a good weekend?

Spending quality time catching up with my family and close friends. I like spending time in smaller groups because it allows everyone in the group to mingle without anyone feeling left out.

Deborah Lee

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on August 07, 2015, with the headline My Weekend. Subscribe