How have you influenced each other creatively?
Noelle Woon (NW): “Syabeel introduced me to a lot of art influences he discovered on his own. He enjoys graphic art, photography, and writing a lot – that brought a whole new perspective for the way I viewed art. I think he was inspired to start writing again when he’d caught me journaling. He usually writes his own poetry inspired by storytelling, music, and other life experiences.”
Ahmed Syabeel (AS): “Being with Noelle has helped me reconnect with my ‘creative’ side because I’ve always loved writing poetry since I was a kid. She showed me that being creative doesn’t necessarily require talent, but also a mixture of hard work and passion.”
What are some creative differences you have?
NW: “As we use different mediums to express ourselves, his inspiration usually comes more from music and photography. Whilst my inspirations are more related to visual arts.”
AS: “I guess the main difference is that we both practice different art forms. So we both create through different mediums.”
What’s one aspect of your partner’s creativity you admire and why?
NW: “His ability to curate a really tasteful collection of music. Because he listens to such a wide variety of music, the music he picks for any setting is usually always on point.”
AS: “I really admire how she starts her day before she starts doing her art: meditating, doing yoga and sometimes cycling. It reminds me that we need to stay healthy mentally and physically first, before anything else.”
How has your partner shaped you as a person?
NW: “As we are quite fresh into this relationship, we are slowly learning to be patient and adjust to each other. My partner always shows me how to take a moment to breathe and just relax, taking the day a minute at a time, because I tend to always be doing something or planning to do things in my head.”
AS: “As a person she has reminded me that no matter what happens, life goes on. Also, staying resilient and being able to have a partner who communicates with empathy and has similar goals in life – that took us both by surprise.”
