Podcast Title: Mindful Creative with Radim Malinic
Episode: Balancing Commercial Success and Personal Expression - Murugiah
Release Date: October 21, 2024

Introduction

In this episode of Mindful Creative with Radim Malinic, host Radim Malinic engages in a profound conversation with Murugiah, a multidisciplinary British Sri Lankan artist, illustrator, and designer. The discussion delves into Murugiah's journey of balancing commercial success with personal artistic expression, exploring themes of identity, self-doubt, and the quest for authenticity in the creative industry.

Guest Introduction

[01:16] Radim Malinic:
Radim introduces Murugiah as a vibrant artist whose work embodies a blend of macabre, bittersweet, and joyful elements. Murugiah’s creations are infused with candy-coated dreams and South Asian motifs, spanning various mediums including film, architecture, art, and design. His work resonates with audiences seeking kindness, authenticity, and compassion.

Early Life and Influences

[03:09] Murugiah:
Murugiah shares his multicultural upbringing in southeast London, where he was exposed to a rich tapestry of Western pop culture and South Asian traditions. He reminisces, "There would be a mix growing up of Saturday morning cartoons, X Men and Silver Surfer and Power Rangers and whatever, and later that Saturday going to an auntie and uncle's birthday or a celebration of some kind, and it being very South Asian oriented."

[05:42] Radim Malinic:
Radim probes into how this dual exposure shaped Murugiah's early creative pursuits, highlighting the balance between his Western environment and Sri Lankan heritage.

Academic Background and Architectural Training

[08:24] Murugiah:
Murugiah recounts his academic journey, initially aspiring to be a fine artist. However, his parents advised pursuing a more stable career path intertwined with art, leading him to study architecture for seven years. He explains, "My parents said... maybe it's a better thing that you do something art-related that involves a bit of engineering and maths and something that gets you out of the house as a 9 to 5 job."

[11:01] Murugiah:
During his architectural training, Murugiah maintained a strong focus on fine art, often creating unbuildable sculptures within his projects. He describes one such project: "I designed a gallery on the South Bank that had these giant periscope tubes sticking out of it. It looked like some kind of weird alien creature."

[16:20] Radim Malinic:
Radim relates Murugiah’s experience to the broader creative journey, emphasizing the importance of experimentation and the challenges of maintaining a non-linear career path.

Transition from Architecture to Art and Design

[16:28] Murugiah:
Murugiah discusses his departure from architecture after realizing his disinterest in the constructional aspects of the field. He shares, "I was not interested in doing the adequate research and development around the appropriate construction type of material."

[17:59] Radim Malinic:
Radim continues to explore the emotional toll of this transition, acknowledging the physical and mental stress Murugiah experienced.

[18:29] Murugiah:
Murugiah elaborates on the physical manifestations of his stress, including hair loss, which signaled his need for a career change. He reflects, "My body was actually telling me to do something different."

Finding His Artistic Voice

[24:50] Murugiah:
Murugiah explains the evolution of his artistic approach from focusing solely on aesthetic to incorporating thematic elements. "What are you interested in actually saying with your work? And once you figure that out, your style becomes incredibly authentic very quickly."

[27:16] Radim Malinic:
Radim inquires about the impact of creative reinvention on personal relationships, specifically how Murugiah's partner supports him through his artistic struggles.

[28:47] Radim Malinic:
Radim discusses the importance of recognizing personal progress over minor setbacks, highlighting Murugiah’s partner’s role in his emotional resilience. Murugiah acknowledges this support, stating, "She grounds me immediately, because the first thing she tells me is, look at how far you've come."

Dealing with Rejection and Self-Doubt

[30:25] Murugiah:
Murugiah candidly shares his ongoing struggle with self-appreciation and mental health issues. "I need to work on some of that before I can genuinely feel good about things I've done in the past."

[31:54] Radim Malinic:
Radim relates to Murugiah’s experiences, emphasizing that the pressure to be "good enough" is a universal struggle among creatives, regardless of cultural background.

[35:22] Radim Malinic:
Radim highlights the societal and generational factors contributing to the relentless pursuit of perfection, encouraging mindfulness and self-compassion among listeners.

[37:24] Murugiah:
Murugiah reflects on how his upbringing instilled a fear of inadequacy, stating, "No one is out there being like, you're okay, you're good at what you do. Just be human."

Embracing Physical Art in the Age of AI

[39:53] Murugiah:
Responding to the rise of generative AI, Murugiah discusses his shift towards creating tangible, physical art forms such as paintings and sculptures. "AI can't really replicate a physical brushstroke where you can see the kind of bubbles of the paint on a canvas."

[42:25] Radim Malinic:
Radim observes that Murugiah’s dedication to physical art facilitates flow states, enhancing both his creative process and mental well-being.

[43:34] Murugiah:
Murugiah connects his love for cinema to his art, aiming to capture the emotional essence of movies through his unique illustrative style. He envisions his work as a bridge between personal expression and commercial projects.

Balancing Commercial Work with Personal Projects

[50:10] Radim Malinic:
Radim probes into how Murugiah manages financial stability while pursuing personal artistic endeavors, addressing a common concern among budding creatives.

[50:30] Murugiah:
Murugiah explains his strategy of integrating personal interests into commercial projects, ensuring that his work remains authentic and fulfilling. "Everything I have to do to make money has to feed into what I'm working on at the moment."

[53:41] Radim Malinic:
Radim praises Murugiah’s approach, emphasizing the importance of aligning professional work with personal passion to maintain creative satisfaction.

Future Aspirations and Final Thoughts

[55:26] Murugiah:
Murugiah offers advice to listeners contemplating a shift in their creative paths. "Find a kind of personal way into whatever you do."

[56:24] Radim Malinic:
Radim reinforces the value of authentic self-expression and the therapeutic nature of creative conversations, encouraging listeners to embrace their unique artistic journeys.

Conclusion

Radim Malinic and Murugiah conclude the episode by reflecting on the shared struggles and triumphs within the creative process. Murugiah expresses gratitude for the opportunity to vocalize his challenges, likening the conversation to a therapeutic session. Radim wraps up by highlighting the importance of community and shared experiences in overcoming creative hurdles.

Notable Quotes

• Murugiah [00:49]:
  "All you have to do is look back at the work that you've done five years ago and look at the work you've done now and measure yourself on those changes."

• Murugiah [24:50]:
  "What are you interested in actually saying with your work? And once you figure that out, your style becomes incredibly authentic very quickly."

• Murugiah [28:47]:
  "She grounds me immediately, because the first thing she tells me is, look at how far you've come."

• Murugiah [35:22]:
  "I need to work on some of that before I can genuinely feel good about things I've done in the past."

• Murugiah [39:53]:
  "AI can't really replicate a physical brushstroke where you can see the kind of bubbles of the paint on a canvas."

• Murugiah [50:30]:
  "Everything I have to do to make money has to feed into what I'm working on at the moment."

• Murugiah [55:26]:
  "Find a kind of personal way into whatever you do."

Key Takeaways

1. Authenticity Over Perfection:
   Emphasizing the importance of aligning creative work with personal themes and messages rather than succumbing to external pressures for perfection.

2. Navigating Career Transitions:
   Highlighting the challenges and emotional toll of shifting from a structured career path to pursuing personal artistic passion.

3. Mental Health and Self-Appreciation:
   Discussing the ongoing struggle with self-doubt and the need for mental health support in maintaining creative well-being.

4. Balancing Commercial and Personal Projects:
   Demonstrating strategies to integrate personal interests into commercial work, ensuring financial stability without compromising artistic integrity.

5. Embracing Physical Art in the Digital Age:
   Advocating for the creation of tangible art forms as a means to achieve flow states and differentiate from AI-generated content.

6. Support Systems:
   Acknowledging the crucial role of supportive relationships in fostering resilience and encouraging creative growth.

Conclusion

This episode offers invaluable insights into the delicate balance between commercial success and personal artistic expression. Murugiah's candid discussions serve as a source of inspiration and guidance for creatives navigating similar challenges. Radim Malinic successfully facilitates a conversation that not only highlights the struggles inherent in the creative process but also celebrates the perseverance and authenticity required to thrive in the ever-evolving creative landscape.