Episode 08: Graffiti, Singapore and Quantum Computing with Didier JABA Mathieu
Didier talks about 30 years of experience as a graffiti artist, his most challenging mural, and his new exhibition inspired by quantum computing.
Didier JABA Mathieu is a prolific graffiti artist with murals all around the world. Currently based in Singapore, Didier was born in Columbia, and studied Space Art and Illustration in St Luc Liège, Belgium.
Quantum Supremacy
Didier was part of a duo exhibition with his wife Delphine Rama, at the Culturi Gallery, Singapore. The exhibition comprises of 15 painted and digital artworks that provoke viewers to question the role of technology in shaping social perception, ethics and data.
Industrial Light and Magic
Didier moved to Singapore and joined Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), a division of Lucasfilm Ltd.
In 2007, he began working on his first movie, Transformers, and in his three years at Lucasfilm, Didier developed his digital design skills with a range of films from Indiana Jones to Iron Man and Star Trek.
The Singapore studio is ILM’s first international studio and delivers work on feature film and immersive entertainment. The ILM is located at The Sandcrawler, whose design was inspired by the classic Star Wars transport it was named after.
Find out more about ILM here.
Changing Times
Since moving to Singapore in 2007, Didier has witnessed a change in how the country Singapore is perceived overseas. Today, with more focus and appreciation for the arts, working in Singapore is considered a great opportunity, and Singapore is perceived as a model for other cities.
Didier admires Singapore’s emphasis on fairness and meritocracy and views Singapore as a country of opportunities.
“Now it’s super cool to come to Singapore. I am very proud to be here. If you can make it here it’s a good thing.”
Advice
“If you want to be a graffiti writer don’t think about money, think about travelling.”
Recommendations
Didier recommends two books that are considered the ‘bibles of graffiti’.
Check them out here:
Also the classics:
“Those books were written 40-50 years ago and they are so relevant today.”
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