Design and illustration for the hero image, pattern, branding and packaging graphics for global cosmetics brand La Mer 2021 Year of the Ox Campaign. Thanks to Mariel and the team at Estee Lauder for having me!
‘Journey to Renewal: The Estée Lauder Companies-owned prestige skincare brand La Mer is welcoming the Year of the Ox by highlighting the travel retail-exclusive Arrive Hydrated collection.‘
“Hi I’m Chris Yee, an artist based out of Ryde, Sydney Australia and this is my process for the Tumbalong Heritage Artwork, proudly in Haymarket, Chinatown Sydney
My work is largely illustrative and recently textiles influenced, but I like to think it is mostly driven by storytelling.
A lot of my stories and characters are influenced by my social upbringing, and I thought as someone identifying of the new Asian-Australian identity, it was something that I could help infuse with the rich industrial and cultural history of the past.
The Tumbalong artwork itself is titled around the original name given to the area by the indigenous people of the Cadigal Clan, The dancing characters acting as a modern expression of the hunting and gathering traditions of the cockle’s and Guman pines throughout the area.
The artwork also pays tribute to the costume and profession of the area, being of great historical importance to the industrial change in this country. So pictured in the artwork you can see the John Dickson Steam mill, The famous Biddell Brothers confectionary factory, The Cormack Cooperage and in most recent history the late, great Sydney Entertainment centre.
After being graciously asked by Emilyia, Lily and the team at Art Pharmacy to conceptualise and draft the artwork, we then went to the experts at Sydney based production, Axolotl to materialise everything and breathe the artwork to life.
It means a lot for me as a Chinese-Sydney born artist to leave my mark on the area. I feel that this is an important time for change in Sydney, so I’m humbled and honoured to share my perspective and personal relationship with the evolving community and people, whilst help bridge the gap of stories from the past. “
Special Thanks to Lendlease and the City of Sydney!
Artist: Chris Yee Artwork Production: Art Pharmacy Fabrication: Axolotl Video: Babekuhl Photography: Billy Ryan, Chris Yee, Jodie Barker, Andrew Yee, Eva Li, Darren Luk Music: Kase Avila
LNY2020 Year of the Rat Campaign Artist/Animation: Chris Yee Producers: Andpeople Australia, Alexander Wu-Kim Video: Benjimin Bock & Darren Luk Words and writing: Andrew Yee
Modern Interpretation of the 12 Lunar Calendar Zodiacs for the Galeries, Sydney Australia. Hung Tapestries, Animated screens and printed vinyls.
LNY2020 at the Galeries Part 1
LNY2020 at the Galeries Part 2
BTS Campaign studio shots by Darren Luk
Press Opening Day – photos by Sally Emily, hosted by guest Jaguar Jonze
Free Nationals – Time ft. Mac Miller & Kali Uchi Music Video (Animation, Illustration & Art Direction)
‘Time’ by the Free Nationals featuring the late Mac Miller and R&B singer, Kali Uchis is a song about personal and emotional growth. Babekühl was approached to produce an animated music video that’s reflective of the song’s narrative and pays homage to the artists on the track.
The music video takes the viewer on a stream of consciousness through time and space, a spiritual journey that touches on emotional growth, human connection and the universe. For an organic approach, each frame is hand-drawn to illustrate our personal and cosmic relationship with time. Visual metaphors such as flowers blooming, cells dividing and the universe expanding are woven throughout the performances of the Free Nationals, Mac Miller and Kali Uchis.
Justin Bieber – Yummy (Animated Video) Music Video (Animation, Illustration)
Our visual interpretation of this song was to continue the same universe as Bieber’s live action Music Video, following the set design of a luxurious dining hall with decadent foods. In a Toy Story-esque way, inanimate objects within the set come to life: food, chairs and tables awaken– singing, swaying and dancing to the song, ‘Yummy’.
TOKiMONSTA – Love That Never Music Video (Animation, Illustration)
‘Love That Never‘ by TOKiMONSTA is an atmospheric, ambient interpretation of personal and emotional journeys. In creating a visual accompaniment for the song, our aim was to amplify the transformativeessence of the music; inviting the listener on a mystical journey through imagined landscapes. Working with TOKiMONSTA and her creative director, Danna Takako, our vision for the music video was to follow a lone central character on a hero’s journey – seeking the truth within herself and her place in the universe.