NOvia (Shin Pui San),is an illustrator who’s all about mapping. She often lurks in caves, old streets, rusty markets, and piles of random clutter. Among those piles, some things are brushes, and some feel like stories.
Her works include illustration, comics, and animation, and have also wandered into installation, paper art, and miniature art. She won the Grand Prize at Bakat Muda Sezaman ’16, Malaysia’s Young Contemporaries art competition, organised by the National Visual Arts Gallery of Malaysia.
NOvia’s practice feels like drawing an unfinished map, one that will probably keep her busy for a lifetime.
Selected Solo Exhibitions
2022
‘Pasar Karat ‘ picture book exhibition,
茑屋书店 Tsutaya books, Malaysia
‘Pasar Karat ‘ picture book exhibition,
童里繪本洋行 Maison Temps-Rêves, Taiwan
2013
'Not So Long Ago' first solo exhibition, Publika,KL.
Selected Group Exhibitions
2024
Titik Garis Bentuk: Drawing as Practice
ILHAM Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
From Sketch to Print
茑屋书店 Tsutaya books, Malaysia
2023
Angin Berlabuh - Asian Documentary Comics
Hin Bus Depot, Malaysia
2022
「熱帶季風」原畫展, 紙本分格 zbfghk, Hong Kong
2021
Di Situ : An Exhibition, Kongsi KL, Kuala Lumpur.
Documentary comics exhibition, P320 centre, Johor.
2019
A New Wave of Asian Documentary Comics,
The Pier-2 Art Center, Taiwan
2017
KL Biennale, National Art Gallery Malaysia
3 Belas, National Art Gallery Malaysia
Ilham Contemporary Forum, Ilham Gallery Malaysia
Pameran 101 Dimana YOUng, National Art Gallery Malaysia
Slowork Publishing 5th Anniversary Exhibition, Mangasick Taiwan
2016
People’s Youth Exhibition, Malaysian Heritage and History Club
Remembrance as Resistance:Human Rights Art Exhibition,
Publika,KL
2013
M50 Selamat Hari Malaysia art exhibition, Map KL
2010
' SPARKS ' the journey showcase 2010, Map KL.
Awards
2023
Special Merit Award "The Life and Times of Jenah"
Kuala Lumpur Eco Film Festival (KLEFF)
2nd Runner-up "The Life and Times of Jenah"
Three Acts of Goodness Micro Film Festival
2020
Best Animation Nominees - The Secret Life of Durian
The 13th International KL Eco Film Fest 2020
2016
Grand-prize winner of Bakat Muda Sezaman 2016 (BMS'16)
Malaysia Young Contemporary Award 2016
2012
Grand-prize winner of Nando's PERi-fy Art Competition
Top 10 winner of The 6th Malaysia Chinese Blog Award
Publications
Pasar Karat picture book, Taiwan
Illustration published in The Star Newspaper ( weekly 2014 )
Illustrations published in Sin Chew Daily News ( bi-weekly 2021 - present )
Illustrations published in Oriental Daily News
Illustrations published in Flavours food magazine
Illustration published in movie 我来自纽约1& 2
Comics published in Monsoon - a documentary comic, Taiwan
Comics published in Strapazin comic magazine, Switzerland
Selected Client Projects
Burger King Malaysia — Sate Burger Commercial Illustration
Xiao En Memorial Park — Mapping Xiao En Centre
Purple Cane Tea Art Centre — Tea Packaging Illustration
Grants
2026
Grant Recipient
Not So Far, Far Away — Stop-Motion Animation
Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) -
Animated Shorts Challenge
2025
Category A Recipient
Pasar Karat — 2-Minute Animation
Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) -
Heart of Malaysia: A National PSA Program
Memberships & Organisations
Co-founder of Kaki Jelajah Warisan
A heritage group introducing historical walks and local stories in Malaysia.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KakiJelajahWarisan
Ambassador
2019
Wacom Malaysia 2019
Art Festival
2013
Invited Artist, Pangkor Island Festival
Oral History and Publications