We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Marisa Diyana Shahrir. The following tribute has been shared by her friends from the AA:
It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of Marisa Diyana Shahrir, an AA Alum of 2002–2008, who left us on 30 November 2023, after bravely facing brain cancer for four years. Marisa truly treasured her AA days, where her creative talent was moulded and where she formed friendships that spanned the globe. Her humour was uniquely her own, and she was known for her ability to bring joy and laughter to every moment.
Back in Malaysia, Marisa embarked on a fulfilling career in architecture. She worked at firms such as Ong & Ong Consultancy, Unit One Design, and Hijjaz Architects and Planners. Embracing every part of her job, from drawing boards to caged lifts with helmets, she made it all an adventure. Serena, the director at Hijjaz, fondly recalls Marisa, saying ‘her time at AA perhaps helped her mould the sense of questioning and critical eye design, mixed with her sweet demeanour in delivery of her observations.’
Beyond her architectural pursuits, with her label SKN, Marisa's passion for texture led her to experiment with diverse mediums, including leather, textiles, tiles, plastic and metal which were part of her entrepreneurial pursuits. Her singular designs found a place in various settings, adorning restaurants, public spaces and private homes.
In 2014, she unveiled The Loop at the Venice Biennale, making us ponder humanity's relentless quest for improvement. The dissected typewriter is thrown out today, metaphorically replaced by the stylish iPad, but it too will soon be a thing of the past. Her creative journey folded further with re-exhibiting The Loop at the Retrospektif Biennale at the National Visual Art Gallery, Malaysia in 2016.
Her digital prints on Perspex entitled Kyrizon were featured at the Kuala Lumpur Biennale, National Art Gallery in 2017. They were pieces that advocated preserving the historic Kuala Lumpur skyline. Marisa's artistic journey extended into sculpture, with her first piece made of Corten steel in 2018 which is now installed in a residential garden. As attested by her mother, ‘these small art projects are truly hers.’ Eager to learn the ins and outs of the art world, she joined the team of project curators for the Kuala Lumpur Architecture Festival 2019, themed Unsung Heroes.
The same year, she decided to share her unique ideas as an assistant lecturer at UCSI University. From treehouses to kitty cages, she shared her creative design and ideas with students. Her students adored her, in the words of one named Himaya: ‘I loved her so much and will forever love her for making me learn to love everything I do and have, and to cherish life.’
Beyond her professional life, Marisa's heart was in volunteer work. From flood relief to community centres for the Orang Asli, she often returned home with fewer belongings than those she left with, generously distributing them to the children she encountered along the way.
In the words of Nadiya, her childhood friend, ‘Marisa lived her life to the fullest, fought hard, and was so deeply loved. I can only hope and pray that we could all be so lucky.’ Through the difficult recent years, Marisa’s courage and love touched everyone around her.
Marisa leaves behind her parents and her beloved cat, Mocha. She also leaves behind many dear friends whose sentiment is perhaps best captured in Yusra’s words, ‘Marisa's presence in my life was profound, defined by odd and quirky moments – the unique fabric of our friendship only she could do.’ So, here's to Marisa – for her humour, kindness and unwavering determination. She'll be sorely missed by her AA buddies, schoolmates, colleagues and even the supply contractors. Our thoughts are with her family and may Marisa find eternal peace, surrounded by the warmth of the love she gave that will forever resonate in our hearts.