GEORGE TOWN, March 6 — Iconic Penang cartoonist Mohd Azmi Mohd Hussin, popularly known as ME, died yesterday evening.
GEORGE TOWN, March 6 — Iconic Penang cartoonist Mohd Azmi Mohd Hussin, popularly known as ME, died yesterday evening.
Azmi, who was 40, is believed to have had a heart attack.
The news was shared on Facebook just hours after his death, leading to many in the arts community mourning the loss of one of Penang’s famous homegrown artists.
The artist published five comic books Tanjong Life, The Little Mamak, The Little Mamak: Lost in Bagan, Tanjong Life: The New Norm and Tanjong Life: Back to the 90s.
Penang Arts Council chairman Joe Sidek said Azmi was "one of the nicest, humblest, most friendly and talented artists” from Penang.
"What a great loss to the art community of Penang,” Joe wrote on his Facebook page.
Meanwhile, THEMEZ Group Media founder Caeson TC, who first met Azmi on Beach Street in 2016 while he was creating portrait street art caricatures, was immediately captivated by his talent. Recognizing his potential, he invited Azmi to participate in the Penang Arts & Crafts Exhibition 2016, co-organized by THEMEZ Group Media and PDC Setia Urus Sdn. Bhd. at Komtar Mall.
"He had an infectious energy and warmth that drew people to him—everyone adored him," Caeson reminisced.
Beyond his artistic skills, Caeson emphasized that Azmi’s journey was about more than just talent.
"From sketching caricatures on the streets of George Town to becoming a recognized name in the local art scene, his work was deeply rooted in the stories and people around him. That’s what made his art so relatable and accessible to everyone, regardless of background," he said.
"His art and spirit reflected the voices of many, and I sincerely believe his legacy will endure, continuing to inspire those who had the privilege of knowing him."
Azmi, who was well-loved in the local art scene due to his positive nature and candid personality, overcame poverty and hardship after turning to art full-time in 2013.
Speaking in TED Talk in 2019, the self-taught artist recalled sitting at the Penang Esplanade with only RM2.50 in his pocket.
Noticing busloads of tourists getting down to see Fort Cornwallis, a state landmark, he was struck with the idea of drawing portraits and never looked back since that day.
He holds MBR titles for "The Most Number of Live Caricatures in 24 Hours" (2017), "The Longest Coffee Painting in Malaysia" (2019) and "The Longest Single Comic Strip" produced in the country (2021).
Azmi was also awarded the Pekomik Kembara Award in 2018 and the Tokoh Kartunis Pulau Pinang award in 2021.
Last September, Azmi held his very first solo exhibition titled Cari that highlighted his art journey over the past 10 years as he experimented with a range of caricatures to coffee paintings to combining the colours of pop art on canvas with his iconic comic characters.
He said it was a dream come true for him to finally hold an art exhibition in Hin Bus Depot.
Despite his fame and success as an artist, Azmi was known for his friendliness.
He is survived by his wife and two sons, aged 17 and 15, and an 11-year-old daughter.
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