1) Who are you and what do you do?
My name is Muhammad Mawardi also known as Mao as my Artist penname. Currently, I work as a graphic designer at Ministry of Education. On the weekend, I also teach various fields such as Art and Japanese language.
2) Why do you do what you do?
Nowadays, creative design play an important role in providing brand identity and communication with audiences so I want to be involved in the field of creative design.
As for teaching, it is my passion to teach Art and Japanese Language as it gives me the opportunity to teach students and learn something from them as well.
3) What is your strongest memory of your childhood?
I started to have passion in art when I was still 5 years old. During that time, my father actively produced artworks such as portrait, landscape, still life and so on. I always sat close to my father watching him producing artworks.
4) How has that memory inspired or influenced the way you create?
My art style is more towards producing portrait and landscape realistically. The first painting that inspired me was my father’s painting of an old lady with great details on the wrinkles. I was impressed by the ability of artists to produce realistic paintings.
5) What is your dream? And a dream project you have always wanted to work on?
My dream project is to produce portrait and landscape artworks depicting other countries’ culture and identity and exhibit the artworks internationally.
6) Do your other interests influence your art?
Japanese Animation influences my work in a way that I am inspired by the vivid colour that is expressed in the art. One of the influences is animated works of director Makoto Shinkai.
7) Brunei’s creative industry in 10 years will be ...
Brunei’s creative industry in 10 years will be playing a crucial role in multiple industries as it is the ideal medium to convey idea through innovation and creativity.