RED MAN: Where were you born?
GUZ WID: I was born in Kendal, Central Java, Indonesia.
RED MAN: What was your childhood like? Are there any events related to art?
GUZ WID: My childhood was fun, without gadgets and just playing with my friends. I was born into a farming family. My family background really influenced me to work hard and be more creative to face life.
RED MAN: When did you start drawing?
GUZ WID: I start drawing from high school. I started participating in competitions and have continued drawing ever since.
RED MAN: Have you ever studied at an art school?
GUZ WID: I don’t have a background study at an art school. I am drawing autodidactically by observing nature and surroundings me to bring out the imagination.
RED MAN: Did you start creating cartoon at that time?
GUZ WID: yes, I started drawing cartoons at that time. Although to get a strong character, it requires a long process.
RED MAN: We would like to know when you decided to become an artist? Is your family full of artistic atmosphere?
GUZ WID: I decided to become an artist because I like drawing, and it turns out that I can make money from drawing. Although, no one in my family background is an artist, it doesn’t make me stop to being an artist.
RED MAN: What do your family and friends think of your choice to "make a living through art"? To what extent do they support you?
GUZ WID: They are very supportive of the decisions I make. They always appreciate my work, even some of them want to buy my pictures. And it really makes me touch.
RED MAN: What is your family background?
GUZ WID: my family background is from a farming family. We lived far away from the city centre in Kendal.
RED MAN: When did you start creating international cartoon works and participating in international cartoon competitions? Did any special issues or events ignite your inspiration and start a new creative path?
GUZ WID: I started participating in international cartoon competitions since 2009. One of the competitions that inspired me to start pursuing cartoonist when I was included in the 100 Cartoonist Exhibition in INTERNATIONAL CARICATURE CONTEST GODOFREDO GUEDES CENTENARY 2009- BRAZIL. That always motivated me to continue drawing.
RED MAN: We understand that your work appears to be ingeniously conceived, with a rich variety of visual scenes and a full and vibrant colour palette, making it very distinctive. How did you develop your own style?
GUZ WID: I developed my arts by exploring my own style autodidactically. I am doing a lot of experiments with colours and drawing techniques until I found my style and identity.
RED MAN: What is on your mind when you are painting?
GUZ WID: My mind feels free, in the sense of being able to express what I feel and think onto the canvas.
RED MAN: There is no text in your work. Do you oppose the use of text? Do you think there is always a way to convey information or ideas purely from images?
GUZ WID: in my pictures there is no text. The reasons for readers to interpret the paintings freely with no pressure and there are no limitations in arts.
RED MAN: What artists or works have influenced you in the process of forming your unique style? You can give an example, for example, show the two or three works that you think have had the greatest impact on you to everyone.
GUZ WID: there is no artist or works that influenced me. I do everything autodidactically with a lot of experience and experimentation. So, that make my arts feel more original.
RED MAN: When did Indonesian cartoon originate? What are the representative cartoonists? You can tell us about them.
GUZ WID: the first animation in Indonesia appeared since 1983-1984 aired on TVRI. Some famous Indonesian Cartoonist such as Darminto M. Sudarmo, Dwi Koendoro, GandjarHarta Widodo, GM Sudarta. The work of Indonesian Cartoonist GandjarHarta Widodo was exhibited in Bangkok at the exhibition of “Cartooning the ASEAN Way of Non-Interference and Consensus” in 2024.
RED MAN: Where do you think the world's cartoon originated from? When is the origin time?
GUZ WID: the history of world’s cartoons began with the discovery of moving picture techniques around the 1800’s.
RED MAN: We know that Indonesian art is very distinctive. How has the development of Indonesian cartoon been? Are there many professional cartoonists in Indonesia? How is their living condition?
GUZ WID: the development of Indonesia Cartoon began in the 1950’2. The first cartoon in Indonesia was Si Huma which aired on TVRI In 1983. This cartoon was produced by PT Produksi Film Negara (PPFN) and collaborated with UNICEF. This has continued to develop by technological developments. That also make cartoonist have a potential for a better life with technology and social media.
RED MAN: Are there many cartoon publications, magazines, and newspapers in Indonesia? How did they reach the hands of the readers?
GUZ WID: there are several cartoonist magazines. I am one of the pioneers of cartoonist magazines in Indonesia “PAKARTI”. We distribute cartoonist magazines once a month. The content if this magazine is cartoons form cartoonist who are members of PAKARTI Indonesia. PAKARTI is Indonesian Cartoonist Federation. PAKARTI is a forum for cartoonist to provide and develop their work.
RED MAN: What is people's definition of cartoon? Do people like cartoon? Especially do schools and parents allow children to read cartoon?
GUZ WID: cartoons are pictures, paintings, or caricatures that containing a story or implied information to the reader. Most people like cartoons, especially children. They are attracted to cartoons because they love creativities of images and colours.
RED MAN: Are there many derivative products of cartoon in Indonesia, and do cartoon images often appear on products? Do people like these products?
GUZ WID: In Indonesia, cartoon's development is currently in a good way. Some products also use cartoons as their brand. People’s reactions are more positive towards these products, because they are not monotonous and funny.
RED MAN: In Indonesia, whether it is primary school, secondary school, or university, are there any specialized courses in cartoon? What are the ways people learn cartoon?
GUZ WID: in Indonesia, there are not many schools specifically for studying cartoons. However, several secondary schools or universities in Indonesia have started to open major of animation or graphic design. People usually who decide to study cartoons or animation because they have passion for drawing.
RED MAN: Is there a cartoon museum in Indonesia? If so, please introduce the Cartoon Museum to your readers.
GUZ WID: In Indonesia, there’s a museum for cartoons which is in Bali. This museum showing all the types of Indonesian comics' history, including comics and sketches. Almost 800 pieces of comics from artists around Indonesia.
RED MAN: What cultural heritage is there in Indonesia? Do government departments and people attach great importance to these cultural heritages? What is people's understanding of these cultural heritages? What impact does cultural heritage have on you?
GUZ WID: Indonesian heritage was so diverse. Start with art, foods, culinary and traditional clothes. Many of them were acknowledged by UNESCO. So, the Government alongside citizens has a great role in keeping this heritage exist. It was our effort to keep this heritage, also inspired a younger artist to make art with strong characters.
RED MAN: What have people done to protect these cultural heritages? (Specific measures and promotion methods.) What role has cartoons played in cultural heritage protection? What role do you think cartoons can play in the protection of cultural heritage in the future?
GUZ WID: Citizens keep this heritage alive and promoted through social media. Cartoonists also bring Indonesian heritage to life through our art. It is our effort to maintain this identity as Indonesians.
RED MAN: This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the world anti-fascist movement. We know that Southeast Asia is a heavily affected area by Japanese aggression. What is the understanding of Indonesia youth towards the 80th anniversary of the victory of the world anti-fascist movement? What educational measures does Indonesia have in this regard? Have Indonesian cartoonists produced any anti Fascist cartoon works over the past 80 years?
GUZ WID: The anti-fascism movement in Indonesia was massive. Indonesia has acknowledged for tolerate and respecting other cultures. In perspective of cartoon artists, fascism has no room in Indonesia. So, we create something with massage to tolerate and peace.
RED MAN: Are there any commemorative facilities in Indonesia for the victory of the anti fascist movement? What are the regular commemorative activities?
GUZ WID: there’s no commemorative facilities in Indonesia for the victory of the anti-fascist movement.
RED MAN: What other hobbies do you have in your life?
GUZ WID: I have a hobby between drawing cartoons and singing. Because art was important to me. Therefore, from this hobby, I’ve been winning so many competitions from 2009 until now. Those competitions not only in Indonesia but also around the world.
RED MAN: If you weren't an artist, what would you do?
GUZ WID: If I couldn’t become a cartoon artist, I’d going to work for Indonesia government. I’ve been working for the Ministry of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning/National Land Agency since 1989. Also, I am a lecturer at Diponegoro University.
RED MAN: What do you want to say to people who like your work?
GUZ WID: Thank you for these appreciation to my art. I feel appreciated because my art was made by heart and could inspire a lot of people. That appreciation motivated me to keep going, creating a lot of cartoons and more characters.
RED MAN: What advice do you have for young cartoon artists who respect you and take you as an example? What would you say to your respected colleagues? What would you say to readers who like your work? What would you say to readers who don't understand humor? Besides, what advice do you give yourself? What advice do you give me?
GUZ WID: Love what you've done and be disciplined. That's the key for a good result. Creativity doesn't come a blink of eye but it was from consistency.Feedback for my colleagues is to continue working as part of society. Continue to appreciate and spread love to others. For readers, my cartoons show how life goes, continue to work hard and be kind to society. Continue to learn and don't forget to care about your surroundings.
RED MAN: Lastly, thank you for your trust and support in our interview!
