.jpg)
KATUN is a name that is not alien to any art enthusiasts in Malaysia, or even on the international scene. As he recently entered the NFT markets, it did not come as a surprise when his latest collection entitled ‘Apes R Us’, consisting of 8,444 NFTs was sold out within 28 hours.
The collection, which is valued at US$7,000,000 (US$2,700 per ETH) at the time of writing, surpassed his previous NFT releases. ‘Apes Stands Strong’ and ‘Mystical Fruits’ reached an approximate total sale of $US401,000 (about RM1.69 million).
The new collection gives insight into Katun’s artistic exploration of everyday traits and nostalgic characters through more than eight thousand polychromatic primates.
Staying true to his signature style of using the well-known fauna in Malaysia – the apes, or specifically, the orangutans – as the main subject of his art and reinterpreting them through cartoon characters that we know and love, the new collection included 100 NFTs that were tied with WWF Malaysia.
The proceeds for these specific pieces went to the orangutan conservation efforts in Sabah and Sarawak. His support for Malaysian fauna conservation efforts is also evident in his Sotheby collaboration, auctioning one of his art pieces ‘Rest in Paradise’ that went live on April 12.
The excitement of this collection did not end there. In conjunction with the ‘Apes R Us’ partnership with the brand, Katun announced a catalogue of four limited-edition New Era caps on which the NFTs were displayed.
Collaborations with well-known brands are not something new for Katun – based on his track record of collaborating with DC Shoes, JBL, Vans, and Sony, among others.
Talking about track records, Katun did not shy away from working with renowned international artists such as Chris Brown, Dua Lipa, Post Malone, to name a few.
In recent times, he has gained increasing support from other art and NFT enthusiasts such as Faze Banks, Jason Falovitch (Mr NFT), Elliot Wainman (SuperFarm CEO), Farokh Sarmad (RugRadio Founder), and local celebrities Joe Flizzow and SonaOne. The latter was even involved in producing a music track to go with the ‘Rest in Paradise’ piece.
So, what is next in Katun’s artistic journey? Currently brewing, he is making an ‘Apes R Us’ animation TV series with one of the best animators in Asia. More details about this exciting project will be revealed soon.
Who is Katun?
Here to make a statement in the heart of a tropical peninsula in Southeast Asia, Katun has honed his position as one of the top leading graffiti artists in Malaysia. A talented local who has created an identity and name for himself through his love of reinterpreting cartoon characters as his signature style.
Growing up in Malaysia, Katun’s quotidian exposure to monkeys and forestry in the region initially sparked his inspiration for creating his unique statement pieces – his apes. Known for its robust body form, Katun has redefined his apes to take a humanistic silhouette while staying true to the natural disjoined limbs of the Great Apes that are native to Malaysia – The Orangutan; translated “Man of the forest”.
To date, he has created his own art collective 4 Stages with brand collaborations with Marshall, JBL, Oppo, Tealive, Proton, Hua Wei, Sony and more – and a notable roster of renowned artists such as Grammy winners Chris Brown, Dua Lipa and Post Malone to name a few. With a growing worldwide presence, Katun’s work is sure to make a mark in your city soon. – The Vibes, April 14, 2022
