A recurring observation when working with Shooshie on-site is the frequent presence of cemeteries in close proximity to the spaces she engages with. When we mentioned this to her, Shooshie noted that other collaborators had made similar observations. Is it merely a coincidence?
To us, these quiet presences seem to reflect an often unseen dimension of Shooshie’s practice—one that moves within a broader cosmology, taking into account the more-than-human. At times, the presence of cemeteries plays a significant role in her work, as seen in her Surau Merlimau project (see video documentary: 
Together-Gather).
We find ourselves asking, again and again, whether it’s truly a coincidence. While cemeteries are markers of death, they are equally reminders that we are living. Perhaps seeing one at every corner is not unusual. In countries like Japan, Malaysia, and much of Asia, land is more abundant, and cemeteries are more visible. But in land-scarce Singapore, the sighting of a kubur is rare, making their presence feel even more striking.
