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Born in Iran, raised in Hong Kong and educated in Europe, Mojoko is best known for a diverse career in curation, installation, interactive design and fine art

- JULIA ROXAN

Steve Lawler, better known as Mojoko, attended the prestigious FABRICA art residency in Treviso, Northern Italy in 2001, before starting his interactive design career at Diesel HQ. As an artist, designer and art director, Mojoko established the Kult Magazine, Gallery and Studio, quickly building a reputation for curation, installation, interactive design and fine art.

Having worked with a global network of over 600 artists, designers and animators, Mojoko is now the creative director of The Unusual Network, a collective of creators, where he is responsible for the quarterly publication of EYEYAH! – an illustrated guide to the world for kids (and kidults).

You are British, were born in Iran, and spent your youth in Hong Kong before coming to Singapore. It seems that Hong Kong has always had an influence on your art...

Hong Kong was an overload on the senses – the neon lights, the volume of people, and the sights and smells are intense. The energy is infectious and the juxtaposition of Western and Asian culture is everywhere – Chinese movies with English subtitles; Rambo movie posters with Chinese typography. I found it fascinating and still do. There is definitely an air of nostalgia about it for me, yet Hong Kong is so futuristic and still feels like one of the most exciting cities in the world.

Your art is also largely inspired by B-movies and alternative culture. Where did it all start?