STGCC '09 Spotlight: Kamal Dollah

Klik.TV talks to Cartoon.sg’s Kamal Dollah, a Singaporean artist, art-educator and professional caricaturist. Started in 2008, Cartoon.sg consists a team of professional caricature artists who draw at events for entertainment. Kamal has developed numerous art education and enrichment programmes for schools in Singapore. His team has taught at different levels from primary to secondary schools, tertiary institutions as well as staff (teachers) training.

Tell us more about Cartoon.sg

Cartoon.SG is a team of professional caricature artists. We set up beginning of 2008. We draw caricatures for corporate or personal gifts and wedding. We also draw at events for entertainment. Currently there are 3 of us and we are all members of the International Society of Caricature Artists (ISCA).

When and how did you become a professional caricaturist?

I started drawing caricatures ever since graduating from Nafa in 1993. Back then me and my wife (girlfriend at that time) were freelancing for editorial illustrations in 8 days, RTV Times and other periodicals. That was not good living so we focused on our graphic design firm Bob Associates Design Consultants and gave up freelance illustrations. It was 10 years later that a friend called me to help him out at an event. That was where we restarted the interest and pursued it further. I was so hooked to it that I went to USA to learn from fellow artists how to do this professionally. I consider myself professional upon returning from my first ISCA convention in 2007.

Do you remember your first caricature job?

It was an article about the death of Nixon and Kurt Cobain in 8 days. They both died the same week but somehow Kurt who is the lead man of the band Nirvana got more publicity. Much like the recent week when Michael Jackson and Farah Fawcett died.

What's the strangest request for a caricature that you've received?

They all ask you to draw them pretty.

And what's the most enjoyable one that you did?

I volunteered to draw at a school for spastic children and there was a queue of wheelchairs. These kids enjoyed it tremendously and none of them asked to be drawn pretty.

Besides being an accomplished caricaturist, you are also a multi-dsiciplined painter with expertise in various mediums ranging from batik painting to contemporary art and street graffiti. Tell us more about these other expertise of yours.

I suppose I have a short attention span. So having multiple practice helps me sustain a continued interest in all the discipline. I am an accomplished batik painter and scholar, a graffiti writer and caricaturist. They are all related in that they are about visual arts and somehow they complement one another technically.

Have you always wanted to be an artist?

Not really, until I am able to make up my own mind. Everyone said I'm gifted since young and getting a good pass in art for me was like cheating. I wanted to be something else like a lawyer or architect, but then I ended up applying for Nafa after being rejected by NUS. Even then I thought being a designer was safer so I studied graphic design. However, I was obsessed with arts especially paintings. This helped make me a good designer that could afford me a comfortable life. Once that is settled, I then pursued my masters degree and is now happy to be an artist.

We've all heard stories about how tough to be an artist in Singapore. What's your take on this?

Singapore is full of distractions. The cost of living is extremely high and its easy to get a job. So most Singaporean artist would stray into regular jobs to pay bills and forget about being an artist.

You do a lot of work with the schools. Do you find that Singaporean kids are creative and good in art?

Singaporean kids are generally very creative. We have a good education system though many would deny. But... being creative is also about avoiding complicated tasks. Good in art is another matter. You get good only if you put a lot of practice. Most kids do not put in the practice because they don't see a need to. They understand what is art but there are better things for them to do. But if there is a need to do it well like for O level or A level projects, they do it extremely well.

How is it like being married to a fellow artist and caricaturist? Do you guys draw each other all time?

I met my wife in art school. We are happy that we found each other and that we share a common interest. We are able to help each other and there's so many thing we can enjoy together like visiting galleries. We do not have time to draw each other as we're always busy drawing other people together.

Would you want your kids to grow up to be an artist or caricaturist like their daddy?

We do not impose on our kids, but if they chose to be in the same line of work, they'll have an advantage to tap on mom and dad's expertise, resources and connections.

(Check out Kamal Dollah and Cartoon.sg at Booth H09 at the Singapore Toy, Games & Comic Convention 2009.)