Seen This Turquoise Dog Overseas? It’s Actually By a Malaysian Graffiti Artist!

Graffiti is sometimes a misunderstood art form, but it’s what makes art so accessible and gives a city its character. No matter what city you go to anywhere in the world, there’s bound to be murals and graffiti scattered around. Which city is your fave?

Graffiti artists sure know how to make their mark, and most of them often have a “signature” in the form of a character scribbled on every surface they get their hands on. This particular character however, is a little closer to home than most of us may realise!

If you’ve walked the streets of Brisbane, Madrid, Tokyo, Hong Kong, and even KL (just to name a few), chances are you’ve come across this cute turquoise dog painted on a wall or by an alleyway along with other murals and graffiti art. 

Well, did you know that the graffiti artist behind this dog is actually a Malaysian, and has made his mark all over the world?

?Good Afternoon PJ? #kenjichai #chaigo #graffiti #animal #streetart #mural #spraydaily #wallart #malaysia #zincnitecrew #mtncolor #tankosmy

A post shared by Kenji Chai (@mr_kenjichai) on Jul 6, 2017 at 9:16pm PDT

Happy Saturday!? #kenjichai #chaigo #graffiti #animal #streetart #mural #spraydaily #wallart #malaysia #zincnitecrew #mtncolor #tankosmy

A post shared by Kenji Chai (@mr_kenjichai) on Apr 7, 2017 at 11:00pm PDT

Last week funtime⚠️ in playground @redhillcinemas with troops @cloakwork @tuyuloveme and @mintfantasy @bsafest , Brisbane 2018 #bsaf #brisbane #graffiti #mural #chaigo #painting #kenjichai #streetart #streetart #zincnitecrew #ironlak

A post shared by Kenji Chai (@mr_kenjichai) on Apr 23, 2018 at 12:31am PDT

"Street wallz???" Painted with @shiones2k Shinagawa, tokyo 2017 Special thanz to @montanacolors_japan the arrangement ?? #secretbase #tokyo #japan #suiiima #kenjichai #chaigo #graffiti #animal #streetart #mural #spraydaily #wallart #malaysia #zincnitecrew #mtncolor

A post shared by Kenji Chai (@mr_kenjichai) on Dec 10, 2017 at 4:02am PST

Some of you may have heard of Kenji Chai, whose signature “Doggy Chai” has made its way to streets all over the world.  

Apart from his signature turquoise dog, Kenji is also behind loads of other prominent murals around KL, like the famous chicken mural on the Nando’s building near Petaling Street and the robotic tiger mural outside The Bee, Publika. Yup, those are by him!

Uncage the beast!!! ???♩????? @tigerbeermy the BEE Publika 2017 #uncagemusic #kenjichai #chaigo #graffiti #animal #streetart #mural #spraydaily #wallart #malaysia #zincnitecrew #mtncolor #tankosmy

A post shared by Kenji Chai (@mr_kenjichai) on Feb 20, 2017 at 6:28am PST

Source: Nando’s | Facebook

He has also collaborated with well-known brands like Tiger beer, Puma, and Skechers Malaysia, just to name a few.

Kenji chai x #Tigerjams ? Get it in nearest pub now!

A post shared by Kenji Chai (@mr_kenjichai) on Sep 6, 2016 at 9:01pm PDT

Although the turquoise dog is certainly his signature, Kenji has a lot more under his belt, and has created beautiful murals across the globe!

He’s certainly also made KL a lot more colourful with his unique pieces scattered all over the city. Seriously, you can make a game out of it and see how many of his murals you can spot around town!

"Courage to Dream???⚠️" Montana cans & @jotunmalaysia 25 Storey Building 3 weeks upon completion @redbysirocco , Kuala Lumpur 2018 Special thanz @redbysirocco for the opportunity, Miss Venus codinator of this project, my two helper especially encik Safie for risking life 3 week on top of the gondola. Really wanna give the first few day due to height problemz. Thanz God for the Courage to breakthrough with this beast in order to achieve something impossible. P/s: Thanks @jh.pixels for the drone photo #kenjichai #chaigo #graffiti #kuala lumpur #animal #streetart #mural #spraydaily #wallart #malaysia #zincnitecrew #montanablack #jotun

A post shared by Kenji Chai (@mr_kenjichai) on Jun 15, 2018 at 6:03am PDT

悟空蔡狗 (Chaigo the Monkey King) Fire Red Monkey CNY Jam Kampung Attap,KL 2016 #graffiti #spray_daily #globalstreetart #mtnmalaysia #mtn94 #mural #animal #zincnitecrew #mtncolors #mtn2016 #sunwukong #chaigo #kenjichai

A post shared by Kenji Chai (@mr_kenjichai) on Feb 1, 2016 at 4:21am PST

So, the next time you spot a cute turquoise dog anywhere around the world, you’ll know it’s by a fellow Malaysian!

We commend Kenji for his contributions to Malaysia’s contemporary art scene. Keep up the amazing work!

Also read: These are the Photos That Won a Malaysian His Award at a World Photography Competition