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Now that #ArtistOfMalaysia is trending and we're seeing heaps of local talent, are we going to discuss the abysmal working conditions and pay that Malaysian artists face?
Other discussion points:
- unpaid OT in major studios
- "grind culture" and burnout
Other discussion points:
- unpaid OT in major studios
- "grind culture" and burnout
- major studios that pull this kind of shit
Pictured: Msian animation festival being homophobic, Msian animation studio brushing off legitimate concerns of work conditions.
Pictured: Msian animation festival being homophobic, Msian animation studio brushing off legitimate concerns of work conditions.
- Also, please Malaysian artists of any level, charge at least RM7 per hour for your time and labour. There are many FB groups of artists offering commissions at less than this for a finished drawing.
- Art customers TIP your artists if you think they are undercharging.
- Art customers TIP your artists if you think they are undercharging.
- Another issue is Msians proudly claiming someone is Msian once they've "made it" overseas.
(it's a broader issue of "what does it mean to be Msian?". A lot of homophobes/racists etc. like to co-opt the success of Msians abroad whilst beating down locals/marginalised folks)
(it's a broader issue of "what does it mean to be Msian?". A lot of homophobes/racists etc. like to co-opt the success of Msians abroad whilst beating down locals/marginalised folks)
Some of these issues aren't Msia exclusive and involve the overall SEA art community:
- Major international studios outsourcing to SEA studios and capitalising on the terrible work conditions and wages
- Major international studios outsourcing to SEA studios and capitalising on the terrible work conditions and wages
Tldr:
If we really want the local art scene to thrive we must make work conditions better and make it safe/accessible for marginalised folks to work too.
If we really want the local art scene to thrive we must make work conditions better and make it safe/accessible for marginalised folks to work too.
Want to clarify that the rm7 per hour is still unfair for your labour lol. More directed towards young artists doing online commissions.
#ArtistOfMalaysia
Here are some things I've done and the rates:
2017: 10 simple spot illustrations for Musawah, RM1000
2020: @TabungPelangi 's rates for SFAC, a charity anthology:
- USD 300 for 1 full coloured comic project, minimum 2-3 pages, 1 month exclusivity to sell
Here are some things I've done and the rates:
2017: 10 simple spot illustrations for Musawah, RM1000
2020: @TabungPelangi 's rates for SFAC, a charity anthology:
- USD 300 for 1 full coloured comic project, minimum 2-3 pages, 1 month exclusivity to sell
-USD250 for a full coloured illo anthology cover
2020: $120SGD for 2 simple coloured comics (for IG) for Singaporean NGO Oogachaga
Rates I've been offered by local ngos, did not accept:
2020: 1 x Bnw, lineart illustration (for colouring book) RM 50 per drawing
2020: $120SGD for 2 simple coloured comics (for IG) for Singaporean NGO Oogachaga
Rates I've been offered by local ngos, did not accept:
2020: 1 x Bnw, lineart illustration (for colouring book) RM 50 per drawing
Correction on the bnw illustration: Was offered RM15-RM50 per drawing
Tabung Pelangi's SFAC paid contributors upfront, and had exclusive rights to sell the comics for 1 month, afterwhich contributors were free to use/share/distribute individual comics as they wish. I think lead time between pitch to final comics was about 2 months.
Notes on SFAC:
- all proceeds from sales went to charity
- this was a digital anthology only. In the event we decided to make a print version, new rates were to be discussed
- all proceeds from sales went to charity
- this was a digital anthology only. In the event we decided to make a print version, new rates were to be discussed
Probably another thing to add to this list is:
- Art competitions for fully coloured/fully illustrated stuff with prize money that's... not very cool. (SFAC was pitch based, and asked for 0 new artwork)
- Art competitions for fully coloured/fully illustrated stuff with prize money that's... not very cool. (SFAC was pitch based, and asked for 0 new artwork)
