Artist Badrunissa Irfan reimagines Mickey Mouse and other childhood icons in Magical World

Magical World is a celebration of iconic characters who have lived in our hearts across generations — figures such as Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and Charlie Chaplin. The idea was to bring them together in a contemporary artistic space, not merely as characters but as emotional symbols. Through this exhibition, I wanted to reintroduce them in a way that feels personal, reflective and slightly reimagined — almost like meeting old friends through a new lens.

These characters are deeply embedded in our memories. Growing up, they weren’t just figures on the screen — they were companions, storytellers and sometimes even reflections of our emotions. I was inspired by how universally loved they are and how they evoke nostalgia while still feeling timeless.

When we think of characters like Mickey Mouse or Donald Duck, we are instantly transported to a simpler time. That emotional connection fascinated me. I wanted to explore how these childhood associations continue to influence us, even as adults and how nostalgia can be both joyful and introspective.

I don’t recreate them in their original form. Instead, I reinterpret them through abstraction, texture and emotion. For instance, a character like Charlie Chaplin may appear less literal and more symbolic — emphasising mood, movement or solitude rather than exact likeness. It’s about capturing their essence rather than their image.

My process begins by selecting a character and reflecting on what they mean to me. I sketch loosely, often distorting or simplifying forms. From there, I build layers — both visually and conceptually — until the character begins to transform into something more introspective and expressive.

I’ve worked primarily with acrylics and mixed media, incorporating textures and layered surfaces. This gives the characters an almost three-dimensional, weathered appearance — like memories themselves.

I used colours reminiscent of the original characters — bright, playful tones — but slightly softened or muted them. This creates a balance between vibrancy and nostalgia, giving the works a sense of familiarity with subtle emotional depth.

Yes, this exhibition allowed me to be more playful while also becoming more introspective. Earlier, my work was more structured, but here I’ve embraced distortion, layering and emotional storytelling in a more free-flowing way.

There is one piece inspired by Mickey Mouse that feels very close to me. Rather than portraying him in his cheerful guise, I explored a quieter, more reflective side. It felt like uncovering a deeper emotional layer within something so familiar.

Yes, many. While painting, memories of watching cartoons as a child — the excitement and the comfort — came back to me in fragments. It felt like reconnecting with moments I hadn’t thought about in years.

I’m interested in continuing this dialogue between familiarity and transformation. Perhaps moving beyond characters towards more abstract representations of memory, identity and emotion while still holding on to that sense of wonder.