My name is Teodoru Badiu. I am an artist based in Vienna, Austria.
Q. How did you start your journey as a pop artist?
I’ve been into art for as long as I can remember. My father was an artist, hunter, and taxidermist, so I grew up surrounded by his work—and even learned how to prepare animals and birds as a kid. That’s when I started experimenting with bones and skulls, eventually making my first sculptures. My journey as an artist began in the early ’90s at the People’s Art School in Vienna. I later explored surreal photo manipulations using Photoshop and my own photography, which led to the launch of my first website, Apocryph.net, in the late ’90s. In 2005, I discovered CINEMA 4D while studying at SAE College, and it completely changed my creative direction. That same year, I launched Theodoru.com and began focusing on 3D illustration and character design. I also started Popartoons.com to showcase my ink drawings.
Q. What is the work you feel most attached to? I'd love to hear why that piece holds special meaning for you.
The truth is, whatever I’m currently working on always feels like the most special to me. But if I had to choose one piece or character that holds a special meaning, it would be Kranyus, my alter ego.
Q. Where do you mainly draw inspiration from?
One of the biggest early influences on my work came from my childhood and teenage years working in taxidermy. At 23, I was shot three times—a traumatic event that still affects me today, as I live with chronic bone pain. That experience continues to shape my perspective and artistic voice. Another major source of inspiration is the classic cartoons I grew up with and still love to this day. The works of Disney, Max Fleischer, Ub Iwerks, Grim Natwick, and Hanna-Barbera have had a huge impact on my character-based creations. I’m also deeply inspired by the paintings of Hieronymus Bosch, as well as the Surrealist movement and Pop Art icons like Lichtenstein, Warhol, and Haring.
Q. We're curious about your creative process. When developing a piece, do you usually start with a sketch, a story, or a visual image?
Almost everything that I create starts with a sketch in my sketchbook.
Q. There seems to be a coexistence of cuteness and brutality in your work. Is there a specific theme or message you aim to convey through your characters?
Actually, all of my work revolves around the idea of never losing hope. Even when life feels like it’s full of nothing but pain—whether physical or emotional—I believe it’s important to keep looking for the bright side. Never give up, and never lose hope.
Q. If one of your characters could come to life for just one day, how do you think they would act?
I think it would try to make the most of it—enjoy being alive, have fun, and live to the fullest.
Q. You’re currently based in Austria—what is the art toy culture like there? And how has the creative environment around you influenced your work?
Unfortunately there is almost no art toy culture there. On the other hand, the street and pop art communities are quite vivid and diverse. I used to go to exhibitions and meet up with artist friends to hang out with them and exchange ideas.
Q. We’ve found it fascinating how you travel with your characters—like Skulltoons, Kiyoko, and Kuwalla—and photograph them on location. What does this practice mean to you?
All my characters have a special place in my heart and I love to have some with me wherever I go, if possible. That way some wonderful memories are made and I also have the chance to introduce them when I meet people around the world that could lead to new collaborations or ideas.
Q. Could you tell us about the piece you created for this collaboration?
For this collaboration I wanted to use Kranyus as a base but in his ZFG(Zero F*cks Given) attitude. The TFG attitude or sign is a theme that I use often. For me it means that in life you can't control everything and sometimes you have to let go and adopt that attitude.
Q. This project spans sketches, sneakers, toys, and even 3D content—it’s impressively multidimensional. What led you to explore so many different formats in this piece?
I just wanted to explore the possibilities each tool offers and see how everything could come together like a capsule.
Q. What kind of artist would you like to be remembered as?
That's something hard to answer. I hope my body of work will speak for that at some point.
Q. What’s your ultimate goal as an artist—or a dream project you’d love to take on one day?
I don't have one big dream project. I just look forward to the next project that comes up and try to do my best. Maybe someday one upcoming project will be something big. Who knows?
Q. Lastly, do you have any advice for those who 'keep marching for their dreams'?
Work, work, work. Never give up and never lose hope!
Theodoru
ZFG Kranyus
Q. Could you briefly introduce yourself?
My name is Teodoru Badiu. I am an artist based in Vienna, Austria.
Q. How did you start your journey as a pop artist?
I’ve been into art for as long as I can remember. My father was an artist, hunter, and taxidermist, so I grew up surrounded by his work—and even learned how to prepare animals and birds as a kid. That’s when I started experimenting with bones and skulls, eventually making my first sculptures. My journey as an artist began in the early ’90s at the People’s Art School in Vienna. I later explored surreal photo manipulations using Photoshop and my own photography, which led to the launch of my first website, Apocryph.net, in the late ’90s. In 2005, I discovered CINEMA 4D while studying at SAE College, and it completely changed my creative direction. That same year, I launched Theodoru.com and began focusing on 3D illustration and character design. I also started Popartoons.com to showcase my ink drawings.
Q. What is the work you feel most attached to? I'd love to hear why that piece holds special meaning for you.
The truth is, whatever I’m currently working on always feels like the most special to me. But if I had to choose one piece or character that holds a special meaning, it would be Kranyus, my alter ego.
Q. Where do you mainly draw inspiration from?
One of the biggest early influences on my work came from my childhood and teenage years working in taxidermy. At 23, I was shot three times—a traumatic event that still affects me today, as I live with chronic bone pain. That experience continues to shape my perspective and artistic voice. Another major source of inspiration is the classic cartoons I grew up with and still love to this day. The works of Disney, Max Fleischer, Ub Iwerks, Grim Natwick, and Hanna-Barbera have had a huge impact on my character-based creations. I’m also deeply inspired by the paintings of Hieronymus Bosch, as well as the Surrealist movement and Pop Art icons like Lichtenstein, Warhol, and Haring.
Q. We're curious about your creative process. When developing a piece, do you usually start with a sketch, a story, or a visual image?
Almost everything that I create starts with a sketch in my sketchbook.
Q. There seems to be a coexistence of cuteness and brutality in your work. Is there a specific theme or message you aim to convey through your characters?
Actually, all of my work revolves around the idea of never losing hope. Even when life feels like it’s full of nothing but pain—whether physical or emotional—I believe it’s important to keep looking for the bright side. Never give up, and never lose hope.
Q. If one of your characters could come to life for just one day, how do you think they would act?
I think it would try to make the most of it—enjoy being alive, have fun, and live to the fullest.
Q. You’re currently based in Austria—what is the art toy culture like there? And how has the creative environment around you influenced your work?
Unfortunately there is almost no art toy culture there. On the other hand, the street and pop art communities are quite vivid and diverse. I used to go to exhibitions and meet up with artist friends to hang out with them and exchange ideas.
Q. We’ve found it fascinating how you travel with your characters—like Skulltoons, Kiyoko, and Kuwalla—and photograph them on location. What does this practice mean to you?
All my characters have a special place in my heart and I love to have some with me wherever I go, if possible. That way some wonderful memories are made and I also have the chance to introduce them when I meet people around the world that could lead to new collaborations or ideas.
Q. Could you tell us about the piece you created for this collaboration?
For this collaboration I wanted to use Kranyus as a base but in his ZFG(Zero F*cks Given) attitude. The TFG attitude or sign is a theme that I use often. For me it means that in life you can't control everything and sometimes you have to let go and adopt that attitude.
Q. This project spans sketches, sneakers, toys, and even 3D content—it’s impressively multidimensional. What led you to explore so many different formats in this piece?
I just wanted to explore the possibilities each tool offers and see how everything could come together like a capsule.
Q. What kind of artist would you like to be remembered as?
That's something hard to answer. I hope my body of work will speak for that at some point.
Q. What’s your ultimate goal as an artist—or a dream project you’d love to take on one day?
I don't have one big dream project. I just look forward to the next project that comes up and try to do my best. Maybe someday one upcoming project will be something big. Who knows?
Q. Lastly, do you have any advice for those who 'keep marching for their dreams'?
Work, work, work. Never give up and never lose hope!
PF. KAKAO 78under
CONTACT 1877-5784
ADDRESS
702, 7F B-DONG, 59, SEONGSUIL-RO 8-GIL, SEONGDONG-GU, SEOUL
