Chris Kong on the Value of the Story Behind an Object - Compound Conversations

Having worked with Ron English on his infamous vinyl toys, the artist discusses what makes a toy great.

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HYPEBEAST has teamed up with The Compound, a creative studio located in the birthplace of hip-hop, New York City, on Compound Conversations – a series of interviews in a surreal space curated by SetFree. This penultimate installment sees Chris Kong, who is a multidisciplinary artist and a toymaker best known for his subversive vinyl toys under his company, Made By Monsters. Having partnered with the likes of Ron English, Vans and Disney, Made By Monsters was founded by Kong with the intent to explore what makes subcultures tick. Turning those elements on their head to transform the familiar into the unfamiliar, Kong’s pieces often elicit a sense of shock from seeing pop culture icons made alien. Here, he discusses the value of the story behind an object, the process of creating a vinyl toy, and where his journey all began. For more insights into prominent personalities, click through to see more from Compound Conversations.

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