Just like previously, Bored Panda used the chance and reached out to Anton, a name that actually might be rather familiar to you already, Pandas. As always, we had a different set of questions to ask Gudim, and he was happy to share his thoughts with us.
When asked about the societal contradictions often highlighted in his comics, Anton responded, "I've probably said this before but I want to backtrack and say that our constant chase for digital perfection while neglecting our authentic selves stands out to me. Like when someone gets a compliment online, but can't reconcile it with their own self-perception. We've become a society of 'YES, BUT...' as seen in many of my comics. There's always a catch."
In the last few interviews, Anton mentioned the influence of his engineering background on his art, he also noted it with a recent example of his comic, "The comic depicting the discounted shoe price and unavailable sizes highlights this. It's about seeing beyond face value, analyzing the true meaning or intent, much like how engineering problems are approached. Sometimes, a discount isn't truly a deal."
On the topic of his evident connection with animals in his comics and personal experiences, Gudim went on to tell us that, "Animals don't overthink or pretend. There's an authenticity in their behavior that's refreshing. They remind us of the simplicity we've lost in our convoluted societal norms. Observing them acts as a mirror to our own absurdities."
We were also rather curious about his creative rituals or favored environments, so he shared with us some more information in regard to that, "I usually start with a cup of tea and some quiet time. It's not about a particular place, but more about a state of mind. Disconnecting from the noise, both external and internal, helps ideas flow."
Finally, when it came to addressing the challenges of the digital age and potential online negativity, Gudim stated, "The internet can be a double-edged sword. While feedback is valuable, it's essential not to lose oneself in the cacophony of opinions. As I have mentioned before, I first and foremost, create for the love of art and the messages I want to convey not the critique of other people. As long as I'm true to that, the noise fades away."
