Mohamad Firdaus Mohd Pawzi is only 24 but he has already painted murals in hundreds of schools across Malaysia.

The temporary school teacher has a thriving side hustle as a mural artist, and nearly 300 of his murals adorn the walls of schools, in both urban and rural areas.

“A blank wall is just a wall. But a mural can motivate students,” he said. “I have seen it – whether in the city or rural area, the reaction from students is always the same: It brings them joy,” says Mohamad Firdaus in an interview in Kepong, Kuala Lumpur.

‘I want to show that art is a valuable skill that can generate income – and change lives,’ says Mohamad Firdaus. Photo: Instagram/Cikgudipi

The visual arts graduate from Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) in Shah Alam has been working on murals since 2000.

His theme for school murals is “Bring Your Happiness”, and he uses cheerful colours and uplifting designs to motivate students to enjoy learning and strive for success.

“When I design for students, I focus on bright, contrasting colours to capture their attention and spark interest. In university, I studied colour psychology. For instance, purple is believed to stimulate creativity, orange evokes a sense of fun and green promotes calmness. Fluorescent shades, meanwhile, can be energising and motivating,” says Mohamad Firdaus, fondly known as Cikgu Dipi.

Colours have the power to influence mood and mindset.

Game changer

Raised in Felda Penggeli Timur in Kota Tinggi, Johor, Mohamad Firdaus is determined to change how art is perceived – especially in rural communities like the one he grew up in.

“Growing up, many people around me dissuaded me from pursuing a degree in visual arts. They felt art couldn’t take me far and couldn’t pay the bills. My parents hoped I’d become a teacher instead,” he says.

Simple steps to mural art.

He’s now doing both – teaching art at SMK Sungai Bukit Gading in Sungai Buloh, Selangor, while awaiting a full-time teaching post, and painting murals on weekends.

“Many people think artists can’t earn a steady income, compared to careers like teaching, law or medicine. The unpredictable nature of creative work makes some families hesitant to support it. But I want to show that art is a valuable skill that can generate respectable earnings – and change lives.”

On average, he completes three to five murals a month. He works with a team of five, who are also teachers or freelance artists.

“Mural painting is also a way for me to unwind after a long day at school,” he says.

Each wall is different. Surface quality, weather and location all affect how long a project takes. Sometimes he needs scaffolding, especially for bigger murals measuring 10m x 15m.

To transfer the digital design to the wall, Firdaus uses a technique called “doodle grid” or grid scaling, ensuring accuracy in proportion and placement.

Mistakes are corrected with base colours, and everything is painted by hand. A full mural can cost up to RM5,000, depending on design complexity, time and materials.

Mohamad Firdaus works closely with schools to understand their needs and tailor mural themes that resonate with students.

He also promotes his work on Instagram, which has helped teachers across Malaysia discover and invite him to beautify their schools.

He started gaining more attention on social media after winning several mural art competitions, including Wall Battle at the 2024 Malaysia Agriculture, Horticulture and Agrotourism (Maha) exhibition in KL.

His artwork can also be found in locations like Laman Seni in Shah Alam and in schools as far as Surabaya, Indonesia, as part of an Asean arts collaboration initiated by UiTM lecturers.

Mohamad Firdaus uses an app on his tablet to sketch and plan his mural designs before bringing them to life on walls.

Shaping young artists

Mohamad Firdaus first got into mural painting after finishing Form Five.

He followed a group of friends who were mural artists and picked up painting techniques along the way.

“Your friends are very important – they can either make or break you. I’m lucky to be surrounded by people who are driven and focused. They constantly inspire me to improve myself.”

Mohamad Firdaus (second from left) paints a path of creativity and hope for young learners. Photo: Mohamad Firdaus Mohd PawziHe earned some money through early commissions, which helped pay for his studies. And that hands-on experience solidified his belief in art as a career.

“I don’t come from a wealthy background. My father works as a labourer and my mother is a homemaker. From a young age, I knew I had to work hard to create a better future. Art has always been my passion – and it has become my path forward.”

Mohamad Firdaus hopes to inspire more students to take mural art seriously and explore its potential as a career.

“The mural scene in Malaysia is growing, but it’s still new. There’s so much talent here but we do not have enough exposure. I want to help create more local mural artists.”

He says he uses his earnings from mural painting to support his family. “The amount is decent, and I’m grateful I can help my parents.

Occasionally, he also gives talks to school counsellors and art educators to share insights into how murals can engage students and transform school environment.

His long-term vision is to bridge education and the creative industry by using both his roles – as an educator and muralist – to show that art can be a source of both joy and opportunity.

“Art has its place. And I want to help others find theirs.”