Kamwei Fong is a Malaysian artist known for his distinctive style—often described as minimalistic, elegant, poetic, humorous, imaginative, playful, and dream-like. His practice spans ink paintings on paper, acrylic works on canvas, ceramic sculptures, felting wool animal sculptures, and others. After moving on from his previous art project, Bo the Goldfish, he began one of his most recognised bodies of work: The Furry Thing series, which started in 2009 and is especially noted for its recurring use of cats, a signature motif in his art. These feline illustrations explore themes of solitude, introspection, and the complex nature of identity.
Kamwei creates his illustrations entirely with black micro-pigment ink, building texture and volume through countless fine lines. Initially inspired by imagination rather than personal pets, his bond with cats deepened after adopting a stray kitten in 2021. Today, his own cats serve as everyday muses, shaping the emotional resonance and personality of the feline characters in his art.
Kamwei has collaborated with globally renowned, award-winning publishers. His first book, The Furry Thing, was published in Italy by Becco Giallo. Most recently, his debut children’s book, Shibu’s Tail, was released in the United States by the internationally acclaimed publisher Levine Querido. The book has received four starred reviews in the United States to date. Recently, Shibu’s Tail is also ranked among Amazon’s Best Children’s Book of 2025. It is set to be translated into multiple languages, including Korean, Japanese, Spanish, and more.
Kamwei has exhibited globally—including at the Salon des Beaux Arts in Paris, Art Expo Malaysia, BAMA in Busan, the Next Museum in Seoul, and Iwataya in Fukuoka—and has collaborated with Uniqlo. He appears in Britishpedia’s Successful People in Malaysia and Singapore and will return to exhibit at the Salon des Beaux Arts in 2025, where his work will join the FNBA permanent collection.
Kamwei’s original artworks, prints, and books are available in shops and galleries across the U.S., Europe, and Asia.
Central ideas in The Furry Thing series:
Solitude & introspection: Cats as stand-ins for human reflection and the experience of being an outsider.
Freedom & independence: Felines as symbols of autonomy and personal expression.
Emotional complexity: Intricate lines mirroring layered, subtle human emotions.
In essence, Kamwei’s cat art blends personal storytelling with universal themes, inviting viewers to see their own emotional journeys reflected in his dream-like felines.
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BOOK:
2025
Shibu's Tail
Levine Querido
United States
2023
Contributing Artist for
Felinity – An Anthology Of Cat Illustrations From Around The World
Victionary
Hong Kong
2021
Kamwei Fong – The Furry Thing
BeccoGiallo
Italy
2019
Contributing Artist for
Cats Rock – Felines In Contemporary Art And Pop Culture
Cernunnos an imprint of Dargaud
Paris, France
EXHIBITIONS:
2025
Salon des Beaux Arts 2023
Réfectoire des Cordeliers
Paris, France
Kamwei Fong By Gasbook
Iwataya Life with Art
Fukuoka, Japan
2024
The Furry Thing by Kamwei Fong
Next Museum Gallery
Seoul, South Korea
The Busan Annual Market of Art (BAMA)
BEXCO
Busan, South Korea
2023
Salon des Beaux Arts 2023
Réfectoire des Cordeliers
Paris, France
2022
The Mayor's Residence Art Salon
Taipei, Taiwan
2020
Kamwei Fong Solo Exhibition
Mintprints / Light Yard Cafe
Taipei, Taiwan
2019
Salon des Beaux Arts 2019
Carrousel du Louvre
Paris, France
Art Expo Malaysia 2019
Matrade Exhibition & Convention Centre
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
2018
Art Expo Malaysia 2018
Matrade Exhibition & Convention Centre
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
2017
Be Happy. Be Childlike. Be Ridiculous.
Free Art Space, Isetan The Japan Store
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Kamwei's Ridiculously Happy Animalerie In Paris
Galerie Club Sensible
Paris, France
Celebrate Diversity. Introducing 50 Colours.
Colorplan / PAM (Malaysian Institute of Architects)
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Be Happy. Be Childlike. Be Ridiculous.
Addstudio
Petaling Jaya, Malaysia
2015
George Town Festival 2015
Penang, Malaysia
Bespoke Chemistry: A Remix Of Art And Progress Art Tile Exhibition
APW Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Marina Mall, Straits Quay, Penang, Malaysia
Archidex 2015, Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, Malaysia
2012
KL Design Week
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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The Furry Thing since 2009
Artworks copyright solely owned by Kamwei Fong.
Worldwide commission opens
Collaboration and enquiry, please email to [email protected]
Purchase Kamwei’s original artworks at:
www.kamweifong.com
Follow Kamwei’s social media for his latest projects and artworks:
Instagram @kamweiatwork
Facebook @kamweiatwork
Facebook account: Kamwei Fong