How fatherhood inspired two of Asia’s coolest creative names to launch this giant installation

He’s worked with Louis Vuitton and Blackpink – now, Japanese graphic artist Verdy has joined forces with his pal, Hong Kong entrepreneur Kevin Poon, to create Visty Playground at Pacific Place

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Verdy and Kevin Poon in the Visty Playground ball pit in Pacific Place, Hong Kong. Photo: Jocelyn Tam

Vanessa Lee

Published: 4:15pm, 10 Oct 2024

Verdy has taken over PostMag’s print issue cover this week with a custom design. It’s a collector’s edition in limited circulation – and we’ve made it even more fun by printing a double cover so you don’t know what you’re going to get. Pick up a copy inside the Sunday Morning Post newspaper on October 13.

In an empty Pacific Place, Verdy is up to his neck in a ball pit the size of a swimming pool. The Japanese graphic artist catches my approach and shoots me a wide grin, with one arm held aloft in his signature V sign. Kevin Poon bobs coolly beside him, the faintest shadow of a smile playing on his face as he surveys his latest project. Towering over them is a huge dozy-eyed, cartoonlike figure. It’s all totally surreal.

Verdy and Kevin Poon ahead of the launch of Visty Playground at Pacific Place, Hong Kong. Photo: Jocelyn Tam

We’re there the night before the unveiling of Visty Playground, a gargantuan installation that the duo have been recently toiling over, but the atmosphere, as would be the case around any ball pit, is one of levity.

Verdy and Poon could not have seemed more different, yet they happen to be long-time friends and fellow chronic multi-hyphenates with projects spanning the worlds of art, fashion, food and design.

Verdy stands under a giant statue of his character, Visty. Photo: Jocelyn Tam

Tokyo-based Verdy, with teams across Los Angeles and his hometown of Osaka, is the creative force behind several of the world’s most coveted streetwear labels: he first built his name with projects such as Girls Don’t Cry and Wasted Youth, and is a creative partner at Human Made. The past few years have witnessed his rapid ascent in both luxury and the mainstream, with collaborations and roles with Louis Vuitton, Nike, ComplexCon, Blackpink and McDonald’s to boot.

Kevin Poon with a Visty plushie. Photo: Jocelyn Tam

Hongkonger Poon, affectionately known as KP, is the co-founder of Elephant Grounds, The Hawk & Aster and Cardinal Point, along with many other ventures around the city.