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Abdul Hafiz Abdul Rahman, better known by his artist moniker Katun, shares where he gets inspiration to create captivating art pieces
If you follow the news about the art world closely, you would have probably heard the name, Katun. Abdul Hafiz Abdul Rahman, the man who goes by that moniker, has received regional and international recognition for his graffiti art. His pieces typically feature cartoon characters drawn with incredible attention to detail and brought to life using vivid colours.
In 2021, he released a series of NFT (non-fungible token) collections, which sold for more than RM1.6 million (US$360,000) in under 24 hours of their launches. He has also collaborated on works with celebrities such as Post Malone and Dua Lipa, as well as brands such as Footlocker, Vans and KFC.
In high school, Hafiz would often be seen practising drawing cartoon characters inspired by those he saw on TV. This led his classmates and friends to give him the nickname he now uses as his artist moniker. The name Katun is a spin on the Bahasa Malaysia word for cartoon, “kartun”.
“When I was a kid, I watched a lot of TV and cartoons allowed me to immerse myself in another world,” says Hafiz. “The feeling of joy sparked my passion for becoming a cartoonist.”
The best part about cartoons, he adds, and what keeps him excited about drawing them is that “there are no boundaries and I can create whatever I want”.
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Aside from cartoons on TV, Hafiz also draws inspiration from toys, comic books, social media, fashion and music.
While he has established a signature style in his art, Hafiz enjoys experimenting with new ideas and art forms as a way of challenging himself. “As an artist, I am always hungry to learn and discover new art forms. I’m always looking for new things to apply to my work. I enjoy simultaneously reconstructing old styles and adding new styles to every artwork. Combining these two elements to create something new brings me the greatest satisfaction. Also, I try to stand out by improvising as I go.”
In terms of role models, Hafiz looks up to artistic legends such as cartoonist Lat, comic-book creator Todd McFarlane and graffiti artist Can2. And to the newer, younger artists who may be looking up to him as a role model, Katun shares these words of wisdom: “The most important thing to understand is to not put pressure on yourself and just have fun with what you are doing.
“Art is supposed to be fun, so trust in the process. That said, there are no shortcuts to achieving your dreams.”
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