Collaborations
Here are a few highlights from projects Rob has been commissioned to work on.
The mural at the Madera Hollywood showcasing classic Hollywood icons, as featured in Perspective magazine, June 2016
The Mural for the Madera Hollywood, Hong Kong
Hip Shing Hong (協成行), a Hong Kong developer that has been around for 3 generations, commissioned Rob to create a mural that would embody the essence of their new boutique hotel, the Madera Hollywood on where else but Hollywood Road, Central, Hong Kong. From April to November 2015, he worked with his team to create this mural.
It was conceived on an iPad Air and brought to fruition through both digital and traditional means, and was finally painted by hand atop swaying scaffolding to provide a colorful focal point in downtown Central Hong Kong.
Measuring 3-5 storeys, the mural features four classic Hollywood icons; Marilyn Monroe and the doe-eyed Audrey Hepburn are flanked by Frank Sinatra and Charlie Chaplin in Rob's signature riot of color and line.
(And there's a specially designed spot for selfies if you know where to stand.)
Portrait Commission of Jacky Cheung (張學友) by BMW
What do you give a man who has everything?
To commemorate BMW's 100th year anniversary and its sponsorship of Jacky Cheung (張學友) A Classic Tour (the Hong Kong leg of his world tour), Rob was commissioned to create a portrait of the legendary singer that encapsulated the essence of his concert, and which would later be gifted to Jacky Cheung.
In 5 very short days, Rob watched the concert, then worked feverishly to sketch, conceive and paint this piece on his iPad Pro.
Most people in Asia, let alone Hong Kong, know the melodious baritone and many grew up with his lyrics giving voice to the aches and ecstasies of love in all its stages of their lives. Reacquainted with the singer's incredible vocal ability, Rob listened to Jacky Cheung classics 24/7 for inspiration... and hasn't stopped despite the project reaching its conclusion. (A super fan is born!)
The portrait aims to capture the different facets of Mr. Cheung while also incorporating elements of the concert itself, like the fantastic 360º stage conceived by the singer. The painting was then presented to Jacky Cheung by BMW on 2 Jan 2017 at the culmination of his concert series in Hong Kong.
At 55, Jacky Cheung is a consummate performer who is older, wiser, more suave, way fitter and with a voice that is far more mesmerizing than men half his age could ever hope for.
One of 10 visual notes produced during The Digital Insurer Asia 2016 conference
The Digital Insurer Asia conference 2016
Graphic recording on his iPad Pro is the latest addition to Rob's repertoire of skills.
Listen closely, draw quickly and capture highlights of the event in a compelling, visual manner. That's what he was engaged to do by The Digital Insurer at the first Digital Insurer Asia conference, held at the offices of KPMG in Hysan Place, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong.
A section of the display at Eslite's flagship store in Causeway Bay
Eslite Flagship Store
In the summer of 2016, Rob was invited to turn some of his artwork into unique displays at the Eslite HK (誠品香港) Causeway Bay flagship store.
He soaked clothes and benches alike for days while riding many trams in Hong Kong's sweltering summer in order to create a unique piece dedicated to the city's iconic mode of trundling transport. This was later transformed into decals that were adhered to curved glass sections in the store.
In addition to the tram piece, a 3D-esque diorama of a market scene and other urban sketches were turned into displays and premiums.
A spread featuring the opening ceremony of the 39th Hong Kong International Film Festival, including the red carpet event.
39th Hong Kong International Film Festival
In 2015, Moleskine Asia commissioned Rob to chronicle the entire 39th Hong Kong International Film Festival. Armed with his trusty iPad as well as several Moleksine sketchbooks, he hurtled from theater to theater around the city, sketching and watching a rich variety of films (enjoying himself thoroughly while doing so). The results were then hand-painted and collaged into Moleksine's large Japanese album.
Rob wanted the accordion-like pages to be able to unfold and reveal the colorful contents, which recorded his journey, films watched and red carpet events he witnessed.