08/03/2026

ON SUNDAY March 8, 2026 theSunday Special XI

Abdul started his journey as a digital artist properly during the pandemic, ZKHQ KH ¿QDOO\ VDW GRZQ WR H[SORUH ZKDW he wanted to tell and the best way to represent himself. Four years later, he is now one of the most sought-after Malay sian digital artists, with works displayed in countries such as China, Hong Kong, Spain, the United States, Thailand and the 3KLOLSSLQHV +LV ELJJHVW ORFDO H[KLELWLRQ VR far is ATMA KIRANA at the National Art Gallery in 2023. “Like most artists, we start with re search and ideation, now made easier with advanced technology that supports collaboration. From there, we connect RXU ¿QGLQJV WR WKH VWRU\ RU QDUUDWLYH ZH ZDQW WR WHOO 1H[W ZH YLVXDOLVH WKHVH LGHDV usually using digital tools or software. Once the visuals and sound are devel oped, we consider the best way to present them, whether online, on screens or using multiple projectors for a more immersive H[SHULHQFH ´ VDLG $EGXO D LJLWDO DUW R̆ HUV DUWLVWV WKH ÀH[LELOLW\ to adapt their work not only to a single canvas. It can also be presented on many GL̆ HUHQW W\SHV RI FDQYDV $ GLJLWDO YLGHR artwork, for instance, can be presented on TV screens, which is the normal practice. Still, it can also be adapted for projection, immersive projection, projection onto buildings and huge LED billboards. Regardless of how it is presented, the artwork still conveys the same stories it is meant to tell. Thanks to the adaptability of digital art, the possibilities are endless.

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Malaysian culture’s maximalism, with its filling of empty spaces with patterns and carvings, really influences me.”

Digital art in Malaysia “Based on my observations, generally, people in Malaysia still cannot clearly differentiate digital art and design. I guess this is mainly because the software or medium used to produce and present the work is also used for design projects. So, eventually, anything that is projection mapping is seen as either digital art or just pretty design. “But at the same time, I can also see there is a lot of interest in digital art, HVSHFLDOO\ DQ\WKLQJ WKDW R̆ HUV H[SHULHQWLDO space. There is also greater awareness of DUW H[SUHVVLRQ WKURXJK PHGLD EH\RQG painting. So I guess we are going in the ULJKW GLUHFWLRQ ´ $EGXO DGGHG The Selangor-born artist is grateful for the support that comes from both the private and government sectors. Spaces like GMBB and the National Art Gal OHU\ DOORZ $EGXO WR H[KLELW KLV ZRUN DQG meet people from other art communities, H[FKDQJLQJ LGHDV DQG FROODERUDWLQJ DFURVV communities and cultures. As for support, there is constant assistance from multiple bodies and government agencies to ensure that artists and the art community can sustain themselves. There are yearly grants and open calls

for funding that artists can apply for to KHOS ¿QDQFH WKHLU SURMHFWV “Unfortunately, because digital art is often confused with design, grant provid ers sometimes act more like clients than collaborators with the artists. I suppose this is one of the ongoing challenges we VWLOO IDFH LQ 0DOD\VLD ´ S RFLDO PHGLD SOD\V D VLJQL¿FDQW UROH for artists these days. It helps them con nect more easily with their audience and provides a good platform for sharing their portfolios. Abdul never really aims to go viral; he simply enjoys engaging with his followers, who ask questions and leave comments, especially on his behind-the-scenes videos. It also opens up collaboration opportunities with brands, such as Converse, which reached out to him on social media. “I would just like to make sure I can consistently create and share my stories with people. I hope that through that, I can meet more people and eventually inspire the younger generation of artists to create DQG H[SORUH PRUH , DOVR KRSH RXU VRFLHW\ will regard digital art at the same level as RWKHU ¿QH DUW PHGLXPV ZLWK YDOXH DQG perhaps ways for them to enjoy and collect LW ´ $EGXO HPSKDVLVHG

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