Asley Saito-Abdullahi is a Japanese-Somalian artist born and raised in Boorloo. A lover of their ABCs - Anime, Books, and all things Cats! They are majoring in English and Literary Studies at the University of Western Australia and dream of weaving magic into realities for eternity.

Tell us about a typical day?

I typically start my mornings off reading manga in bed wondering why my body chooses to wake up at the crack of dawn regardless of when I fall asleep. Out of spite maybe?? My days are either spent at work or at uni – the current of adulthood creeping closer to the shores of the present washing me into its cyclical torrent. Once back at my haven, I spend my evenings playing with my cats and doing some sort of craft while I watch wind down for the current season’s shows.

What is your future hope?

I hope for peace. A still quietness; a lull promising of everything and nothing at all but all that is special. For my family and for all.

If you could invite one person to dinner, who would it be and where would you take them in your city?

My Ayeeyo. I would bring her to our home for dinner. We’d cook and create and string fragmented words together. I don’t know if she likes cats but I’d introduce her to our three and find out. We would all go on an evening walk, just as the sun is setting, shades of coral and amber tinting the sky as the sun bids us goodbye while I flail and ramble on about birds as she listens quietly as I’m sure she would.

What does a port culture look like to you?

Like a quilt interwoven with the spirit of fortitude, each patch portraying the bravery and perseverance of souls that have wondered and wandered.

What’s your favourite sea creature?

Sea lions. From their dopey full-body flops to the graceful curve of silky spine up to their whimsical whiskers and playful snouts what is there not to love. And sea otters. Because not only are they fluffy little dolls but they also hold paws when they sleep so they don’t drift away . . .  and they also use rocks to crack open shells.