Now in Singapore – an exhibition of portraits by Japanese child artist Mondo Okumura, at K+ curatorial space.

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Talk about an overachiever. Eleven-year-old Mondo Okumura has already published a book and his blog http://mondo-art.blog.jp gets about 40,000 hits a day.

Mondo-kun (as he’s known to fans) is best known for his portraits, drawn in black marker with small, sharp pops of colour to bring out details. For a close look, head to K+ at #03-14/15 Scotts Square. The pop-up curatorial space is showing an exhibition of Mondo’s work, including his book, through April 12.

More Cool Than Cute Portraits By Child Artist Mondo Okumura

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Can you spot Mondo’s self-portrait among these?

At a private reception at K+ on March 27, Mondo-kun drew portraits of visitors – at $200 a pop – as onlookers oohed, aahed and took innumerable photos. But the artist prefers to work unwatched. The best part about drawing portraits, he says, is seeing the look of surprise on people’s faces when they finally see their portraits.

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Mondo began drawing portraits at the age of three – I did say overachiever – and, though he started by copying from the covers of his father’s records, he’s moved on to live drawing. There isn’t any on Mondo’s must-draw list for now – the young artists says he isn’t interested in meeting celebrities, but he particularly enjoys drawing people with distinctive faces.

And though he was in Singapore for only a few days, Mondo-kun has developed a love for a national favourite: Milo. When he comes back again, we’ll work on getting him hooked on nasi lemak or laksa.