From That 'Viral' Dog To M'sia's Tallest Mural: Meet Kenji Chai, The Artist Behind It All
Hailing from a town in Sabah to achieving international graffiti fame, Chai is a testament to his talent, dedication, and unwavering passion for art.
By Tamara Jayne — 29 Sep 2023, 06:24 PM
You've probably seen this familiar graffiti of a dog all over Malaysia, or something quite like it, while cruising to work or grabbing a bite to eat.
But do you know the man behind this iconic artwork?
Meet Kenji Chai, a name synonymous with the Malaysian art scene and the artist behind this famous graffiti dog known as 'Chaigo'.
With a style that's all his own and a boundless love for his craft, this 41-year-old artist hails from Sandakan, Sabah, and he's making waves in the world of art.
Chai's artistic journey kicked off back in 2006 when he was working a typical nine-to-five job and yearning for something more exciting
It was during these moments of restlessness that he first stumbled upon his love for graffiti and art. However, it wasn't until 2013 that he made the bold decision to pursue art as his full-time career.
His unwavering dedication and determination laid the foundation for what would turn out to be a truly extraordinary career.
The artist's signature creation, 'Chaigo', has left its mark all over the world
Beyond Malaysia, Chai has painted the iconic dog along the streets of Hong Kong, Mongolia, South Korea, Japan, Singapore, New York, Boston, India, Miami, Memphis, China, Italy, Vietnam, Bangkok, and countless other places.
The exact number of these dogs in the world remains a mystery, but Chai estimates the number to be somewhere between 100 and 300.
'Chaigo', a clever blend of his name and the Cantonese word for 'dog', serves as a representation of the artist's inner journey.
Growing up in a broken home, Chai had to cultivate independence and resilience during his formative years, much like the steadfast resilience of stray dogs.
Speaking to SAYS, Chai shared that his distinctive style draws inspiration from iconic '80s cartoon characters like the Ninja Turtles, Street Fighter, Dragon Ball Z, and ThunderCats
Characterised by a bold colour palatte, you'll find Chai's artwork in unexpected corners throughout Malaysia — narrow alleys, city walls, and even restaurants, all adorned with his vibrant, expressive mark.
Every meticulously executed piece of work breathes life into the city or the space it occupies, and are a pleasant surprise to stumble upon if you're just out and about.
In 2018, Chai's work achieved a monumental feat, earning him a place in the Malaysian Book of Records for crafting the tallest mural in Malaysia
This towering artwork, titled 'Courage to Dream', adorned the wall of a 25-storey building in the heart of Kuala Lumpur and took approximately 21 days to complete.
Among Chai's many notable pieces, two stand out — the Nando's and KFC murals
The Nando's project, located near Petaling Street, holds a special place in his heart, as it marks one of his biggest wall projects when he was first starting out.
The chance to paint such a massive building was a dream come true, and Chai eagerly accepted the challenge.
However, his favourite piece holds sentimental value. It's a mural he painted for Wisma Sabah, fulfilling a long-held dream of contributing his art to his home state.
Chai shared that he's been fortunate to collaborate with other renowned local artists like Red Hong Yi and Cloakwork, all of whom share his passion for their craft.
He emphasised that it's important to always work with someone who is passionate in what they are doing, regardless of age.
Among the countless graffiti pieces he's seen, the 41-year-old holds RIME, an artist from Brooklyn, in high regard, sharing that he admires his "clean and flowy" style.
When asked what he would be doing if he hadn't become an artist, Chai's response was unequivocal: "It wouldn't happen, because all my life, I have been passionate about art. So, it would always have been art."
Looking to the future, the artist envisions expanding the Chaigo brand. With the stability of Kenji Chai Studio, he plans to embark on more Chaigo projects and participate in festivals worldwide to glean inspiration and enrich his experiences.
It's evident that Chai's unswerving commitment to his craft has been a driving force behind his remarkable success and we can't wait to see what else the future holds for him.
