Cavey (Decapitated)

Cavey’s American Cousins was a unique show featuring Cavey designs by US artists made into one-off plushes by Holly Stanway of A Little Stranger. Each plush is one of a kind and not to be repeated. They were available to buy via 7-day auctions which began on Saturday November 3rd and end on the night of the show.

Cavey designs by: 64 Colors • Beast Brothers • Camilla D’Errico • DrilOne • Frank Kozik • Chris Ryniak • Luke Chueh • Mochimochi • Onell Design • Scott Tolleson • Sket One •Angry Woebots

Inspired by my series of decapitated toys, I decided to give Cavey the decapitated treatment, an idea I found ironic since Cavey's don't have a necks. What makes this design especially fun is the fact that the finished product has a magnet hidden in the wound so you can easily reattach the head to the body!

Contributing artists were also asked to create a print to compliment their designs.

CAVEY (DECAPITATED)

11" x 14"

Acrylic and Ink on Panel

2012

Turning Japanese

On December 1st, 2012, I had my first major exhibition in Tokyo, Japan. "Turning Japanese" featured all new works inspired by his (mis)understanding of Japanese culture. Subjects range from Ritual Suicide, the Atom Bomb, Ramen, Kappa, Cosplay, Kawaii Culture, and more. 

THE BOMB

18" xG 18"

Acrylic and Ink on Wood Panel

2012

SOLD 

IT AIN'T EASY BEING GREEN
(THE KAPPA & KERMIT / YEARNING FOR THE WEST)

12" x 16"

Acrylic and Ink on Panel

2012

SEPPUKU

12" x 16"

Acrylic and Ink on Panel

2012

HARAKIRI (BLACK STOMACH)
切腹 (腹黒)

9" x 12"

Acrylic and Ink on Panel

2012

SOLD 

 

DOB (I WISH I WAS MURAKAMI / COSPLAY)

12" x 12"

Acrylic and Ink on Panel

2012

SOLD

KAMEN TRIKER (I WISH I WAS KAMEN RIDER / COSPLAY)

8" x 10"

Acrylic and Ink on Panel

2012

SOLD

 

RAMEN (INSTANT)

8" x 10"

Acrylic and Ink on Panel

2012

SOLD

 SOUTHPAW (KAWAII)

8" x 8"

Acrylic and Ink on Panel

2012

SOLD


If interested in any available paintings, please contact me at contact@lukechueh.com

Hell Lotus Custom

On November 3rd, 2012, Singapore based Mighty Jaxx hosted a custom art show revolving around the "Hell Lotus" toy. Hell Lotus was designed by Clogtwo and produced by Mighty Jaxx. The Hell Lotus Art Show celebrated the first Singaporean designed and produced original vinyl art toy, "The Hell Lotus". Forty two local and international artists were invited to contribute their own rendition or artworks inspired by the Hell Lotus design.

For this custom I choose to not mess with the original design. However, I thought it would be fun to add a sculpt of my signature bear head and have it rest in the Hell Lotus' left hand.

 I also shaved off the original lotus design that was sculpted on its back and painted a bear head in its place. Taking a note from American biker gangs, I treated the top and bottom "rockers" with my brand name "Unbearable" and location "Los Angeles". 

The patch on the left arm features the numbers "37". These are my two favorite numbers, probably because I was born on March (3) Seventh (7) 19-7-3.

As of this blog posting, my Hell Lotus custom is still available for purchase from Mighty Jaxx.

 

Headspace Series (Round 1)

On October 11th through October 14th 2012, Shea/Ziegler invited to be a part of the London based Moniker Art Fair. For the fair I chose to show the first round of my "Headspace Series". The series is about the things I love and the things I'm inspired by. The paintings all feature my bear removing his head, only to reveal something else inside. Examples include characters from Star Wars characters to the artwork from artists I love (in this case, Banksy). I envision the series to expand to over 50 - 60 paintings over the next couple years.

HEADSPACE SERIES (BEAR - BLACK)

Acrylic and Ink on Wood Panel

8" x 10"

2012

HEADSPACE SERIES (RABBIT)

Acrylic and Ink on Wood Panel

8" x 10"

2012

HEADSPACE SERIES (MONKEY)

Acrylic and Ink on Wood Panel

8" x 10"

2012

HEADSPACE SERIES (CHICKEN)

Acrylic and Ink on Wood Panel

8" x 10"

2012

HEADSPACE SERIES (PIG)

Acrylic and Ink on Wood Panel

8" x 10"

2012

HEADSPACE SERIES (BANKSY)

Acrylic and Ink on Wood Panel

8" x 10"

2012

HEADSPACE SERIES (SKULL)

Acrylic and Ink on Wood Panel

8" x 10"

2012

HEADSPACE SERIES (DARTH VADER)

Acrylic and Ink on Wood Panel

8" x 10"

2012

HEADSPACE SERIES (BOBA FETT)

Acrylic and Ink on Wood Panel

8" x 10"

2012

 HEADSPACE SERIES (HOOD / COBRA COMMANDER)

Acrylic and Ink on Wood Panel

8" x 10"

2012

HEADSPACE SERIES (NINJA)

Acrylic and Ink on Wood Panel

8" x 10"

2012

 HEADSPACE SERIES (FOUNTAIN)

Acrylic and Ink on Wood Panel

8" x 10"

2012

Please contact Shea/Ziegler for prices and availability.

I Am Your Plaything

From September 7th through September 30th 2012, Rotofugi Gallery hosted "I Am Your Plaything" an art show featuring works inspired by my love (and hate) of toy culture. Since Rotofugi is an award winning toy store / gallery, so I thought it was the ideal space to host this show.

 LEGO PORTRAIT SERIES - MY LEGS! 

Acrylic and Ink on Panel
 14" x 11"

2012

LEGO PORTRAIT SERIES - A LITTLE HEAD
Acrylic and Ink on Panel 
8" x 10"

2012

 FULL OF SHIT
Acrylic and Epoxy Sculpt on Wood Nesting Dolls
 Approx. 7" - 5" - 3.5" - 2"

2012

 ROLE MODEL SERIES - MALE 
Acrylic and Ink on Panel
9" x 12"
2012

 

ROLE MODEL SERIES - FEMALE
Acrylic and Ink on Panel
9" x 12"
2012

BLIND BOX TRAGEDY
Acrylic and Ink on Panel 
12" x 16"

2012

BLIND BOX VICTORY
Acrylic and Ink on Panel
 9" x 12"

2012

ROCKET PUNCH - FAIL
Acrylic and Ink on Panel
16" x 16"

2012

 THE KEY
Acrylic and Ink on Panel 
16" x 20"

 2012
  

 REVENGE IS A DISH (SERVED MEDIUM RARE)
Acrylic and Ink on Panel 
11" x 14"

2012
  

REVENGE IS A DISH (SERVED WITH BACON)
Acrylic and Ink on Panel 
11" x 14" 

2012
  

 REVENGE IS A DISH (SERVED WITH MUSTARD)
Acrylic and Ink on Panel
 11" x 14"

 2012

 PUZZLE HEAD
Acrylic and Ink on Panel
12" x 12"

2012

ARTICULATION
Acrylic and Ink on Panel
12" x 16"

2012

 THE PITCH (I WISH I WAS BE@RBRICK)
Acrylic and Ink on Panel

Includes Custom 2.5" BE@RBRICK "Carded" on the Painting (NOT IN PHOTO)

8" x 10"

2012

For inquiries, sales, and availability, please contact Rotofugi Gallery.

Mission To Nowhere

 Mission To Nowhere 

Acrylic and Ink on Wood Panel

16" x 20"

2012 

"Mission To Nowhere" was created for "Marvelous Expedition", a show curated by Dabs Myla and hosted by Thinkspace Gallery. As the title implies, the theme of the show revolves travel and adventure. I thought the the idea of a monkey in a space suit, staring blankly at map would suit the theme nicely. 

The origin of this idea is actually rooted in the artwork of Mr. Clement with his "Astrolapin" toy. As a nod to Mr. Clement, the mission patch on the monkeys left shoulder features his rabbit.

Lukey Bean

 Lukey Bean

Acrylic + Ink

8" x 10"

2012

In August, 2012, my friend and colleague Scott Tolleson invited my to contribute a painting to his Nosellots themed group show, "Nosellots Super Show Shindig".
Nosellots are a series of plush characters Tolleson designed. I believe he has plans of eventually turn them into an animation, or a series of children's books. 

For the show he asked us to create something inspired by his characters. I choose to recreate "Lyle Bean" as if it existed in my universe. I renamed the character "Lukey Bean" 

"Nosellots Super Show Shindig" is hosted by Portland Oregon's Screaming Sky Gallery

Elementary School Is Hell (Izod, Not Le Tigre)

This August, Munky King will host "Memories Are Made Of This" a group art show curated by friend of the gallery, Super Cooper Berella. The theme of the show is 'childhood memories', and after giving it some thought, I decided to create a piece inspired by my elementary school class photo. In essence, it's a self portrait of me from 1983-85.

The painting features a bear with a classic bowl haircut, standing in front of a classic sky blue background. But the thing that takes me back is the gold and red Izod polo shirt he's wearing. 

Back in the 80's class distinction could be determined by the logo you wore on your shirt (and from what I can tell, things haven't changed after all this time). At the top food chain was Le Tigre (which featured a leaping tiger as a logo) next was Izod (now known as Lacoste, featured the crocodile), and if I recall, the bottom of the barrel was Britannia (whom used the bottom half of a Union Jack as a logo).

Considering the cruelty of children, I caught hell from the Le Tigre kids, and this is why I made sure to include the Izod logo in the painting.

Tragically, this will also be Munky King's last art show at their Melrose location.

Ugly Ugly Doll

 When I was invited to contribute a design to Giant Robot's Ugly Doll Remix Project, I simply couldn't say no. Ugly Doll has grown to icon level status, and the shear simplicity of the design makes it one of the few non-platform toys I consider worth customizing.
When it was time to get to work, I deduced that the one thing the Ugly Doll actually isn't, is "ugly". So, I decided to make mine live up to its name.
I started by stripping it of its playful colors and giving it a beige and pink "flesh tones".  I then painted all its horns and bumps to resemble zits and sores. I finished it off by adding some of my own hair to the tips of its "ears". I call the creation the "Ugly Ugly Doll".

SDCC 2012 Signing Schedule

SAN DIEGO COMIC CON INTERNATIONAL 2012 SIGNING SCHEDULE

I've got signings scheduled throughout SDCC (except for on the preview and on Sunday.
Munky King (Booth 4939) will be debuting and releasing "Target", out third major release (Limited to 250). Squid Kids Ink (Booth 5137) will be releasing a limited edition hand customized version of my "Emo Bear Murderworld" 10-doh (Limited to 100), and Hi Fructose (Booth 5137) will be releasing a silkscreen print on wood of my painting "Root Down" (Limited to 50).
I'll also be doing a "Bearing The Unbearable" book signing event on the first day at Giant Robot (Booth 1729). This booth also features "The Ugly Doll Remix Project", a show I co-curated with Giant Robot.

Thursday, July 12:

Giant Robot "Bearing The Unbearable" (Booth 1729)
12:00 - 2:00pm
Hi Fructose "Root Down Print" (Booth 4939)
3:00 - 4:00pm

Friday, July 13:

Munky King "Target" (Booth 4539)
12:00 - 1:30pm
Squid Kids Ink "Emo Bear Murder World" (Booth 5137)
3:00-4:00pm

Saturday, July 14:
Munky King "Target" (Booth 4539)
12:00 - 1:30pm



Almost all of these items should be available throughout the week. Please stop by the booths to check on availability.

www.giantrobot.com
www.munkyking.com
www.squidkidsink.com
www.hifructose.com