Phunk | Art & Design Collective

PHUNK is a contemporary art & design collective based in Singapore.

Founded in 1994 by Alvin Tan (b. 1974), Melvin Chee (b. 1974), Jackson Tan (b. 1974) and William Chan (b. 1973) when they were still students in Lasalle College of the Arts, they developed a novel approach to collective art-making based on the collaborative aesthetic of a rock-and-roll band, and informed by a shared interest in urban subcultures.

Described as “The Champion of Singapore’s Graphic Scene” (Creative Review, UK), “Asia’s hottest agency” (Computer Arts, UK), “one of the world’s foremost cutting-edge design collectives” (Asia Tatler, Hong Kong) and “iconic representatives of the new wave of young Asian creators” (Get it Louder, China).

They have propagated a visual signature that seamlessly blends and reinterprets their diverse influences such as traditional Chinese craft, philosophy and folklore, Hong Kong wuxia pulp fiction, Japanese manga and otaku subculture, Western popular culture, art and design movements into a singular creative thought that reflects their multi-cultural identity, background and environment.

Labeled “Creators of modern urban mythological tales” (Chinese Contemporary Art News, Taiwan), PHUNK has created a visual universe densely populated by ancient gods and modern creatures, to depict universal tales social satire, humanity morality, rock n’ roll ethos, contemporary culture and PHUNK’s unique witty sense of humor. The concept of ‘universality’ in the age of modern globalization is a constant theme in their works.

They constantly challenge the conventional notion and definition of the ‘artist’ and ‘commercial design studio’ by constantly blurring the boundaries between both, mixing Neo Pop Art ideology with Post-Modernist design sensibilities. Their cross-disciplinary approach is best described as “an aesthetic collective consciousness” focused on experimenting with new approaches to visual expressions. Their expansive scope of projects spans across art, design, publishing, fashion, music, film and interactive.

PHUNK has collaborated and worked with international brands and artists such as Nike, Nokia, MTV, Daimler Chrysler, Herman Miller, Uniqlo, Levi’s and The Rolling Stones. Their works are featured in many international publications and awarded in various design award shows. One of their artworks titled ‘Electricity’ was cited in the book, ‘Graphic Design, A New History’ as “Instances of truly global graphic design”. They were awarded ‘Designer of the Year’ in 2007 by the President’s Design Award, the highest accolade for designers in Singapore.

They have exhibited and lectured extensively around the world. They launched their solo artist exhibition, ‘Universality’ at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Taipei in 2007. They represented Singapore at the Gwangju Design Biennale 2005 and the London Design Festival 2006. The Singapore History Museum hosted their 10 year retrospective exhibition ‘A Decade of Decadence’ in 2005.

In 2014, PHUNK worked closely with the Fukuoka Asian Art Museum where they were the headline artist and created the branding for the 5th Fukuoka Art Triennale. In 2017, PHUNK was commissioned by Rolls Royce Singapore to produce an artwork to celebrate its 20th anniversary with Singapore Airlines, which showcased PHUNK’s unique tearing technique, a groundbreaking collaboration which combined a gritty art approach with a sleek corporate sensibility.

B.Bike X PHUNK

Customized bicycle design
2009

BMW X PHUNK

Artwork for BMW Jeff Koon's car
2010

Brain Magazine X PHUNK

Cover art
2010

Cappellini X PHUNK

Artwork for Proust Chair
2015

Coca-Cola X PHUNK

Commission artwork for 100 years of contour
2014

Creative Review X PHUNK

Cover art & feature
2010

Deutsche Bank X PHUNK

Site-specific installation
2013

Gallery LVS X PHUNK

Urban mediapole installation
2011

G-shock X PHUNK

Customized watch design
2010

Harpers Bazaar X PHUNK

Cover art & feature
2014

HBO X PHUNK

Artwork for Game Of Thrones
2014

Hermes X PHUNK

Sculpture with silk bowtie
2009

Hewlett Packard X PHUNK

Artwork for Hewlett Packard Quest
2006

HTC X PHUNK

Artist collaboration series
2014

Keiichi Tanaami X PHUNK

Artist collaboration series
2010

Levis X PHUNK

Artist collaboration series
2008

LTA X PHUNK

Sculpture at Promenade MRT station
2010

MTV X PHUNK

Campaign visuals
2010

Nike X PHUNK

Campaign visual
2010

3D animation
2010

Artist collaboration sculpture
2010

Artist collaboration logo
2005

Artist collaboration T-shirt
2005

Campaign visual
2002

Artist collaboration sneaker
2002

Site-specific installation
2002

OCBC X PHUNK

Credit cards
2011

Parco X PHUNK

Environmental art and design
2015

Rolls Royce & SIA X PHUNK

Commission artwork for 20th anniversary
2017

Staple X PHUNK

Artist collaboration series
2006

STB X PHUNK

Artwork for Singapore Inside-Out
2015

STPI X PHUNK

Artist collaboration series
2008

Tai Ping X PHUNK

Artist collaboration series
2013

Tiger Beer X PHUNK

Artwork for advertisement
2007

The Rolling Stones X PHUNK

Artist collaboration series
2011

Timeout HK X PHUNK

Cover art & feature
2009

Uniqlo X PHUNK

Artist collaboration series
2010

Wanderlust X PHUNK

Environmental design
2010

Zouk X PHUNK

Artwork for Publication
2002

Artist collaboration series
2007

Army of Love

Silkscreen on canvas with diamond dust
100 x 140 cm
2012

Control Chaos

Silkscreen on currogated board
400 x 210 cm
2003

Control Chaos Giant

Arcylic On Canvas
1200 x 630 cm
2009

Cosmic Triptych

Pigment print on paper collage mounted on wood
84 x 356 cm
2015

DayDreamer Triptych II

Silkscreen on canvas with diamond dust
140 x 300 cm
2010

D.I.S.C.O.
(Dreams in Social Cosmic Odyssey)

Site-specific public art installation
Promenade MRT Station, LTA, Singapore (image)
2010

Electricity Neon

Carbon ink transfer on wood panels, animated projection mapping
830 x 300 cm
Diesel Gallery, Tokyo, Japan (image)
2010
Collection of Singapore Art Museum, Singapore