Danya Adriana Feri, Visual Artist, Malaysia

Painting Bold Futures: How 17-Year-Old Danya Adriana Feri Is Redefining Malaysian Art

At just 17 years old, Danya Adriana Feri who is from Malaysia has already turned her passion for painting into a thriving art business. From discovering her style during lockdown to completing large-scale commissions for clients like YTL and Marriott, Danya is proof that age is no barrier to pursuing your creative dreams.

In this conversation, she shares how she balances school with entrepreneurship, the role her mother plays as her manager and biggest cheerleader, and why she’s committed to showcasing Malaysia’s cultural heritage through her bold, vibrant abstract art. Danya also opens up about her vision to inspire other young people to create and her dream of building a community art studio.

• [00:02] Discovering art during lockdown – How Danya began experimenting with abstract painting and found her unique style.
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• [00:08] First sale beyond family – The thrill of selling her artwork at Art Market Malaysia.
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• [00:12] Commissions with major brands – Working with YTL and Marriott on large-scale pieces.
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• [00:16] Balancing exams and entrepreneurship – How she manages schoolwork alongside her art career.
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• [00:21] Dreaming of a community art studio – Why she wants to teach and inspire young people through art.
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• [00:25] Staying rooted in Malaysian heritage – How her culture shapes her art and sense of purpose.
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Key Takeaways

• Passion can start small – Even simple experiments can lead to discovering your creative style.
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• Support matters – Having a champion, like Danya’s mom, can make all the difference in building a creative career.
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Heritage is powerful – Embracing your culture can give your art and business a unique voice.

This episode is brought to you by Redbox Studio.

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