SHOWCASE
/ ARTIST / 2026
| ARTIST: | Bez |
| COUNTRY: | Malaysia |
| CONTACT: |
- https://www.instagram.com/bezpop/ https://www.behance.net/christan |
| Bez is a Malaysian illustrator, contemporary artist, toy artist whose work is inspired by 1980s cartoons, films, video games, and collectible toys. Through his signature characters, a red-haired boy named Baby and a little yellow alien named Slimo, he transforms childhood nostalgia into illustrative narratives across digital illustrations, comic panels, picture books, oil paintings, sculptures, and designer toys in a retro-futuristic style. His works have been featured in numerous solo exhibitions and art fairs, including the "Baby & Slimo: Unfading Memories" solo exhibition at Eslite Spectrum, The Starhill KL, "A Boy Named Baby" solo exhibition at Tsutaya Books Bukit Jalil, the Hong Kong Affordable Art Fair, A4 Art Fair, KL Illustration Fair, SuperToy Fest! KL, and Mango Art Festival in Thailand. His wordless picture book Baby Rider received the Yusof Gajah Award in 2025. His original IP, Baby and Slimo, follows the adventures of Baby, a curious young boy, and Slimo, a naïve little alien, as they embark on heartwarming and humorous journeys with their friends across Malaysia. Set against the backdrop of the 1980s, the series blends nostalgia with imagination, celebrating the joy of childhood through whimsical storytelling. |
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Picture Book Baby Rider
An original spread from picture book Baby Rider, created in watercolour on illustration paper.
Picture Book Baby Rider
An original spread from picture book Baby Rider, created in watercolour on illustration paper.
Comic Strip Baby and Slimo
A comic strip from the original Baby and Slimo IP series, illustrated digitally.
Bubble Gum
Baby and Slimo are chewing bubble gum. Set against a retro-inspired backdrop, this digital illustration captures the playful charm of the two characters.
Eat Like Andy (15 Mins of Fame)
Eat Like Andy (15 Mins of Fame), 98 x 89cm, oil and acrylic on shaped wood panels. The artwork is a re-interpretation on Andy Warhol’s burger-eating footage from 1982 experimental film titled 66 Scenes from America by Danish filmmaker Jorgen Leth. In addition to examining communication and social influences in modern society, this piece also takes a historical look at Andy Warhol's well-known statement, "in the future, everyone will be famous for 15 minutes." When social media became popular, it was hailed as the penultimate innovation in communication and social interactions. Everyone has the potential to become famous, even if only briefly. This trio of platforms ironically represents our proclivity for short attention spans, which are even shorter now.
Baby Fortune Cat
Inspired by Japanese culture, Baby disguises himself in a maneki-neko (fortune cat) costume. Digital illustration.
Good Night (Can Series)
Good Night (Can Series), 80 x 64cm, oil and acrylic on canvas. Good Night explores generational memories encapsulated within a sardine can inspired by Malaysia's beloved Ayam Brand. The work draws inspiration from the way the artist's daughter holds her doll while sleeping, a tender gesture that connects past and present through the quiet intimacy of childhood.
Night Talk
Night Talk, 22 x 17cm, acrylic on illustration board. Under the theme of Baby and Slimo, Night Talk portrays the journey of life that spending quality of time with a friend who stays by your side through every moment.