RED MAN: Where were you born?

MAKHMUD ESHONQULOV: I was born in Telov village, Besharik district, Fergana province, Uzbekistan in 1958.

RED MAN: What was your childhood like? Are there any events related to art?

MAKHMUD ESHONQULOV: Since I can remember, I have been using my free time in school to graze cattle and sheep on the pasture and engage in agricultural work, without any activities related to art.

RED MAN: When did you start drawing?

MAKHMUD ESHONQULOV: I started elementary school at the age of 7 and have been interested in painting since I can remember. My father is a well-educated person who subscribes to many newsletters, newspapers, and magazines for the family. Every month, I come across two manga magazines called 'Mushtum'. Although I can't read articles, I enjoy reading cartoon pictures in magazines. I think this is the reason why I became a cartoonist.

RED MAN: Have you ever studied at an art school?

MAKHMUD ESHONQULOV: I have not studied at any art school. I am studying in an ordinary high school and there are no competent teachers in my painting class.

RED MAN: Did you start creating cartoon at that time?

MAKHMUD ESHONQULOV: I have drawn a lot, but I know nothing about creating cartoon. No one pays attention to or supports my interests, and no one guides me.

RED MAN: We would like to know when you decided to become an artist? Is your family full of artistic atmosphere?

MAKHMUD ESHONQULOV: In 1975, I graduated from high school and my family knew that I wanted to study painting, but my parents didn't let me study painting. They said that if you were an artist, life would be in trouble. Because in that era, no one in our village made a living through painting. No one in my family is engaged in any industry related to art.

RED MAN: What do your family and friends think of your choice to "make a living through art"? To what extent do they support you?

MAKHMUD ESHONQULOV: Now, my family and friends respect my art, they say they are proud of me, and they are very supportive of my art.

RED MAN: What is your family background?

MAKHMUD ESHONQULOV: My family is my life. My wife and I have four children, two sons and two girls. My sisters are married. I am the grandfather of 12 grandchildren.

RED MAN: When did you start creating international cartoon works and participating in international cartoon competitions? Did any special issues or events ignite your inspiration and start a new creative path?

MAKHMUD ESHONQULOV: Previously, I worked in other jobs such as driver, salesperson, and gas station attendant. In my free time, I can draw. In 1982, I met an artist from a neighboring village named Ikromjon Akbarov, who began teaching me the secrets of painting. He took me into the world of art. In 1989, I enrolled in the Art School of Tashkent State Pedagogical College and graduated in 1994. I have studied the art color course and obtained high scores through excellent color advantages. It was during this process that I began my career in the field of cartoon. My first comic was published in 1991, titled 'Mushtum'.

RED MAN: We understand that your work appears to be ingeniously conceived, with a rich variety of visual scenes and a full and vibrant color palette, making it very distinctive. How did you develop your own style?

MAKHMUD ESHONQULOV: I initially started creating by imitating the works of cartoon book masters. Slowly, I entered this state of learning and research. I, like others, have encountered various obstacles, but I strive to surpass them and strive to do better. I have been studying hard all my life, and I am also seeking to break through myself.

RED MAN: What is on your mind when you are painting?

MAKHMUD ESHONQULOV: Once I find a theme for the cartoon, I will put in a lot of effort to start composing. When I sat down at the table to create, I had everything I had prepared and was ready to start drawing, sadness left me.

RED MAN: There is no text in your work. Do you oppose the use of text? Do you think there is always a way to convey information or ideas purely from images?

MAKHMUD ESHONQULOV:Real cartoon do not have text. As artists, we need to use pictures to convey events, let pictures speak, and pictures do not need translation. I don't object to cartoon with text, but you need to understand this language and text.

RED MAN: What artists or works have influenced you in the process of forming your unique style?

MAKHMUD ESHONQULOV: In the process of forming my own style, I have been influenced by many artists. Although I have not studied their styles, I still like their works and gain strength from them.

RED MAN: When did Uzbekistan cartoon originate? What are the representative cartoonists? You can tell us about them.

MAKHMUD ESHONQULOV: The earliest cartoon in Uzbekistan appeared in the 1900s, when the cartoon magazine Mushtum was founded in 1923. Since then, cartoon have begun to develop. The first chief artist of the magazine was Hungarian cartoonist Ishtvan Tullya, along with other cartoonists, Dmitry Snitsky is Ukrainian, Boris Zhukov is Russian. Uzbekistan cartoonists appeared in the 1950s. The first group of Uzbek cartoonists were Narimon Ibrohimov, Alijon Xoliqov, Lutfulla Abdullayev kabiar, and others.

RED MAN: Where do you think the world's cartoon originated from? When is the origin time?

MAKHMUD ESHONQULOV: I think the first cartoon appeared in French newspapers in the 1650s, if I remember correctly, because I had seen this work before.

RED MAN: We know that Uzbekistan art is very distinctive. How has the development of Uzbekistan cartoon been? Are there many professional cartoonists in Uzbekistan? How is their living condition?

MAKHMUD ESHONQULOV: Uzbekistan has been independent for 34 years and art has developed very well. But I cannot say that the comic industry is the best, because publishers rarely publish cartoon books, and even if they do, the royalties are very low. Because cartoon have a critical spirit, some national leaders do not like them. Because of this, there are very few professional cartoon artists. Their living conditions are below average. Artists like me can only make a living by receiving prizes from international cartoon competitions.

RED MAN: Are there many cartoon publications, magazines, and newspapers in Uzbekistan? How did they reach the hands of the readers?

MAKHMUD ESHONQULOV: There is only one best cartoon publication in Uzbekistan, and that is Mushtum magazine, as I mentioned before. Its operating condition is also very poor, with a circulation of about 1000 copies per issue.

RED MAN: What is people's definition of cartoon? Do people like cartoon? Especially do schools and parents allow children to read cartoon?

MAKHMUD ESHONQULOV: People, that is, ordinary people, they like cartoon. Because cartoon reflect reality, there is laughter. Now I live in the village, and since 2021, I have organized some cartoon exhibitions at my own expense in the center of our district and 3 or 4 middle schools. People laugh while reading cartoon. At school, children giggle and have fun reading these cartoon. Seeing their love, I am delighted to share happiness with them as a cartoonist.

RED MAN: Are there many derivative products of cartoon in Uzbekistan, and do cartoon images often appear on products? Do people like these products?

MAKHMUD ESHONQULOV: We do not use cartoon images in our products.

RED MAN: In Uzbekistan, whether it is primary school, secondary school, or university, are there any specialized courses in cartoon? What are the ways people learn cartoon?

MAKHMUD ESHONQULOV: There are no specialized courses on cartoon in educational institutions in Uzbekistan, and they are not even included in textbooks or taught as part of the curriculum. There is an art academy in Tashkent that does not emphasize cartoon. A person with a humorous temperament is a self researcher. Cartoonists are self-taught.

RED MAN: Is there a cartoon museum in Uzbekistan? If so, please introduce the Cartoon Museum to your readers.

MAKHMUD ESHONQULOV: There is no cartoon museum here. We have the Uzbekistan Academy of Arts and the Uzbekistan Artists Union. There is also no cartoon exhibition in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan. Only I have organized a personal cartoon exhibition in the center and school of Besarik district.

I want to tell you some good news about me, as I mentioned earlier, I currently live in Besharik District, Fergana Province. The district chief Rasuljon Jorayev provided me with an exhibition space in the district cultural center building in Besharik district. I am currently arranging this exhibition space and planning a 'cartoon gallery' there. Uzbekistan has not yet opened such a gallery, perhaps this will be the prototype of a cartoon museum.

RED MAN: We know that Uzbekistan is an important country on the Belt and Road, and there are extensive cooperation and contacts between Uzbekistan and China in trade, economy, science and technology, education, culture and art, etc. What role has cartoons played in the the Belt and Road policy?

MAKHMUD ESHONQULOV: Uzbekistan is located on the Silk Road. Especially the Ferghana Valley where we live is very close to China. The great Silk Road is often discussed in the media and broadcast television. But I did not participate in any of the activities and am not familiar with them.

RED MAN: What cultural heritage is there in Uzbekistan? Do government departments and people attach great importance to these cultural heritages? What is people's understanding of these cultural heritages? What impact does cultural heritage have on you?

MAKHMUD ESHONQULOV: There are many cultural heritage buildings in Uzbekistan, including historical monuments in cities such as Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva, Gogan, and Tashkent, which are listed on the UNESCO List. Our people appreciate cultural heritage buildings and constantly make pilgrimages to these places. Cultural heritage is very valuable to me, as it connects us with history and showcases what kind of people our ancestors were.

RED MAN: What have people done to protect these cultural heritages? (Specific measures and promotion methods.) What role has cartoons played in cultural heritage protection? What role do you think cartoons can play in the protection of cultural heritage in the future?

MAKHMUD ESHONQULOV: People who have received a good education appreciate human values, art, and culture, but they are few and far between. The cultural heritage we have preserved today is the result of the continuous efforts of these people. Cartoon also play an important role in preserving and protecting cultural heritage. In cartoon about cultural heritage, criticism and laughter coexist, and many people laugh and draw conclusions when they see these cartoon, integrating them into their minds and not being indifferent to illegal activities.

RED MAN: This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the world anti fascist movement. What is the understanding of Uzbekistan youth towards the 80th anniversary of the victory of the world anti fascist movement? What educational measures does Thailand have in this regard? Have Thai cartoonists produced any anti Fascist cartoon works over the past 80 years?

MAKHMUD ESHONQULOV: This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory over fascism. Previously, Uzbekistan held a grand military parade on May 9th to celebrate. Now, Uzbekistan has designated May 9th as a commemorative day.

RED MAN: What other hobbies do you have in your life?

MAKHMUD ESHONQULOV: I have many activities, and I enjoy farming and raising sheep. I also have a hobby, which is cooking.

RED MAN: If you weren't an artist, what would you do?

MAKHMUD ESHONQULOV: I am very interested in many things, and I think I will become a farmer or rancher.

RED MAN: What do you want to say to people who like your work?

MAKHMUD ESHONQULOV: I am glad to have fans who enjoy my cartoon. I think those who like my works are my friends. The reason why I create cartoon is to provide people with some spiritual nourishment and share some happiness. Wishing all manga fans all the best!

RED MAN: What advice do you have for young cartoon artists who respect you and take you as an example? What would you say to your respected colleagues? What would you say to readers who like your work? What would you say to readers who don't understand humor? Besides, what advice do you give yourself? What advice do you give me?

MAKHMUD ESHONQULOV: I told my young cartoon friends not to get tired of learning, not to stop drawing, and to strive to make every piece of your work better than your previous works. There is a parallel universe in the world - this is the 'cartoon world'. I am also happy to be a member of this world.

I consider all my colleagues as friends and wish them success in their creations and good health.

I tell those who like my works to live with a smile on their face.

For those who don't understand jokes, I say that laughter can nourish them and extend their lifespan.

I told myself to work harder.

I told you to take care of yourself. Thank you very much, dear friend. You have raised an unexpected question for me. I have tried my best to answer, I cannot say it is perfect. I have a lot of work to do.

RED MAN: Without a doubt, you have succeeded. I know you are happy with what you have done.

Lastly, thank you for your trust and support in our interview!