Namadi Heights to Ninja Turtles
Clarence Dass, an artist whose journey reflects a fusion of diverse influences and unwavering dedication, grew up in Namadi Heights, Tamavua, and his artistic roots trace back to his childhood fascination with comic books and animated escapades.
From the outset, Mr Dass’s path was far from conventional. Despite studying Creative Arts and animation, his career thus far has included music journalism, radio hosting, and television production. However, it was his deep-seated love for comic books and animation that eventually beckoned him back to the world of art.
“I grew up on comic books and Saturday morning cartoons,” Mr. Dass said.
“That’s where a lot of my inspiration comes from.”
His journey took a pivotal turn when he stumbled upon Cartoonist Kayfeb,a YouTube channel that redefined his perspective on comics. Inspired by artists like Jim Rugg and Ed Piskor, Mr Dass embarked on his own comic book endeavours, with his debut work, “Batman Eldritch,” garnering widespread attention with over 150,000 views upon its release.
Despite the challenges posed by limited local resources, Mr Dass found comfort in digital art, leveraging technology to transcend geographical barriers.
“Digital is great because we don’t have all the fancy range of inks and brushes comic book artists use overseas,” he explained.
“But I can get them all on my iPad.”
Mr Dass’s artistic ethos is deeply rooted in recognising art as an integral part of Pacific culture.
“Fiji, like the rest of the South Pacific, is built on art,” he said.
“It’s how Pacific Islanders preserved their stories.”
Through his work, Mr Dass seeks to pay homage to this cultural legacy while pushing the boundaries of creativity.
From collaborations with iconic franchises like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles to the publication of his own comic series, Mr Dass’s creative process, grounded in penand-paper sketches before transitioning to digital mediums, reflects a blend of tradition and innovation.
One of the highlights of Mr Dass’s career so far was the release of his own comic book, “Sala Ni Yalo: Patch of the Shades,” published by the esteemed indie comics publishing house, Living the Line.
For Mr Dass, the opportunity to be associated with this prestigious label alongside comic book legends like Dave Sims and Brandon Graham is nothing short of a dream come true.
“There’s nothing cooler than being on the same label as comic book legends,” Mr. Dass shared.
To scale his ability to showcase his artistry to the world, Mr Dass recognised the importance of establishing an online portfolio. Building a website to curate his portfolio allowed him to share his work with a wider audience, transcending the limitations of traditional avenues.
“I wanted a place online to share my artwork, sort of like an online portfolio,” he said.
“This way when potential clients want to see my work, I can direct them to my website, where things are more curated, instead of to my social media sites which are all over the place.”
Drawing from his own experiences, Mr Dass emphasised the importance of studying the masters and peeling back the layers of inspiration that fuel their creativity.
“If you have a favourite artist, find out what inspired them,” he advised.
“And then find out what inspired their favourite artist’s favourite artist.”
“Surround yourself with art,” Mr. Dass suggested.
“Find a medium you love and engross yourself in it.”
Notes from the author
Thank you to Clarence for attending my website-building workshop. People in creative fields have a unique approach to designing their websites, and it’s just a matter of teaching them yet another digital canvas for creation and sharing their skills.