Kasing Lung - INTERSECT: Online Auction Hong Kong Thursday, September 16, 2021 | Phillips

Create your first list.

Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Born in 1972 in Hong Kong, Kasing Lung moved to the Netherlands as a child. A celebrated illustrator, Kasing is known for his bunny-eared character, Labubu, who freely roams a magical realm alongside a whole host of other frolicking critters. Since 2011, Lung has been publishing illustrated books and collectible figures, with his first Chinese illustrated book, My Little Planet, published in 2013. He has collaborated with the renowned Belgian storybook author Brigitte Minne, having been invited by the publisher De Eenhoorn, on a children’s book Lizzy Wil Dansen. In recent years, he has turned his attention more to painting, churning out vibrant works filled with the same storybook characters in a style reminiscent of graffiti art, imbued with the looseness of a child’s hand.

     

    Having grown up in the Netherlands, Lung derives much of his inspiration from Nordic folklore and myth. Just as our early ancestors fashioned fantastic stories from thin air, weaving narratives into the very tapestry of their existence, Lung has moulded a world of his own. With a sharp-tooth grin that splits ear to ear, these imaginary creatures evoke the simultaneously playful and sinister character of Nordic mythology. Detailing stories of conniving trolls, murderous water spirits, and more, the Scandinavian fairytale and mythological lexicon is immense and colourful, forming the basis for much of pop culture today, such as Marvel’s Thor or the creatures in Lord of the Rings.

     

    His paintings are an explosion of life, with their sprawling lines and scribbles spanning the surface of the canvas, often surrounding a singular main character central to the composition. Lung’s creative universe and creatures are comparable to the status of popular series such as Mickey Mouse or Astroboy, casting them in a new light. Flat and roughened, sneakier in temperament, the characters are reminiscent of Murakami’s devilish characters.

     

    The current work, The Monsters Buddies, is a heartfelt dedication to these characters, much like a family portrait of impetuous children. Bathed in a soft salmon pink, Lung’s creatures look out to the viewers, faces plastered with classic impish smiles. As viewers confront the panorama of whimsical critters the devotion of Lung to spreading the joy and mystique of European folklore becomes clear. Indeed, when the vinyl figure series of “The Monsters” was first launched in 2015 by How2work, Labubu received an overwhelming response from fans, and has thus been released in over 300 different colours, styles, and sizes. 

     

    Lung’s works have been featured in several exhibitions at key galleries and museums, including Galerie Perrotin, Shanghai; Galerie Perrotin, Paris; Hidari Zingaro, Tokyo (under the care of Takashi Murakami), among others. 

      • signed 'KASiNG' lower right

      • acrylic on paper

      • 42 x 29.7 cm. (16 1/2 x 11 3/4 in.)

      • Painted in 2016, this work is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity signed and dated by the artist and issued by HOW2WORK.

    • Provenance

      how2work.com.hk
      Acquired from the above by the present owner

13

The Monster Buddies

signed 'KASiNG' lower right
acrylic on paper
42 x 29.7 cm. (16 1/2 x 11 3/4 in.)
Painted in 2016, this work is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity signed and dated by the artist and issued by HOW2WORK.

Full Cataloguing

Estimate
HK$32,000 - 50,000 
€3,500-5,400
$4,100-6,400

Sold for HK$252,000

Contact Specialist

Hin Hin Wong
Associate Specialist, 20th Century & Contemporary Art, Hong Kong
+852 2318 2013
hinhinwong@phillips.com
 
Thomas Perazzi
Head of Watches, Asia
+852 2318 2001
WatchesHK@phillips.com

Charlene Lau
Head of Jewels, Hong Kong
+852 2318 2039
JewelleryHK@phillips.com

INTERSECT: Online Auction

Online Auction 16 - 23 September 2021