Cute meets macabre with Luke Chueh’s pop surrealist characters

At once intriguing, friendly and sorrowful, Luke’s adorable characters – often a bear, monkey or rabbit – are placed in contrast against the ill-fated, slightly disturbing situations they find themselves in.

In his new show, ANTHROPOMORPHUCKED, even objects get the anthropomorphic treatment, from houses to tea kettles. His latest work also features new takes on Chinese mythology, from Jiangshi (hopping vampires) to a study featuring a rabbit on the moon - a homage to his heritage as a first-generation Chinese-American and the stories that his parents have told him throughout his life.

Born in Philadelphia, but raised in Fresno, Chueh moved to Los Angeles in 2003, where he took up painting full time and started showing in the underground art scene. Since then, he has quickly worked his way up the ranks, establishing himself as an artist not to be ignored. Chueh's work has been featured in contemporary art galleries around the world, and reinterpreted as collectible and limited edition vinyl toys.

ANTHROPOMORPHUCKED will be on view at Los Angeles’ Corey Helford Gallery until 13 October.