If you've been to Kuala Lumpur, Brisbane, Madrid, Tokyo, and Hong Kong ,chances are you've probably come across this graffiti art.



It's the artwork on the wall of a turquoise-colored stray dog with its tongue sticking out, looking pretty amused at itself.



Meet Chaigo. It's the work of Malaysian graffiti artist Kenji Chai who began his foray into the art form in 2007. It's so popular it even has its own Facebook page.

Going astray.

Kenji Chai, the creator of Chaigo. IMAGE: Samuel Hernandez Tong / Mashable Southeast Asia

"Around 12 years ago, I grew bored of my job as a graphic designer," Kenji tells Mashable Southeast Asia when we met him recently.

"I felt as though I lacked control of what I was doing. My work lacked freedom to allow me to creatively challenge myself."



So Kenji did what few dare not do: He quit his day job and began dabbling in graffiti upon the suggestion of his friends.

His family was not pleased with his decision. Some relatives even thought he was foolish to take an uncharted path. But Kenji, who had years of experience as a designer, persevered.

IMAGE: Kenji Chai

"When I paint, I feel free. There's nobody breathing down my neck, no boss, no rules. Just me and the process of the art."



For the 37-year-old Sabahan, the process of graphic designing and creating graffiti art on walls is not much difference save for the size of the canvas.



Kenji started out sketching in his textbook and to him, the process of creating art is a form of meditation.

"When I create graffiti, I am the happiest."

Becoming a stray.

Chaigo has gone places. IMAGE: Kenji Chai

Sometime in 2013, Kenji was driving on the highway when he chanced upon a carcass of a stray dog.



"I spotted many that year on the roads," he says, adding that he felt he could relate to the deceased canines.



"I was born in a broken family and because of this, I had always been independent and learned earlier on that nothing comes free. That I need to work hard to get what I want just like a stray."



Born in the year of the dog, Kenji created his alter ego: The Chaigo, is a clever wordplay of his surname 'Chai' and the Cantonese word for dog, 'Go'.

"Unlike the stray dog, I knew I have the power to change my life."

IMAGE: Kenji Chai

Kenji began spraying the dog in various corners of Kuala Lumpur with the first one done in Kampung Attap.

Like everyone, he faced the jitters when he first started out.



"I was nervous. 90 percent of the time I used to be worried if the police would catch me in the act. I only was able to give 10 percent of my focus. I felt like a shady character!" the artist quips.



However, he soon discovered ways to mitigate his fears. Kenji began donning graffiti gear to make himself appear a lot more professional.



"In graffiti, we don't ask for permission to produce graffiti work. But by appearing like a professional artist, instead of getting weird looks and questions, people seem to enjoy what I'm producing."

He equates the feeling of completing his graffiti as "stealing something from the store and successfully escaping." Undoubtedly, Kenji feels alive when he dabbles in art.

"These days, 80 percent of my focus is on the art and 20 percent is left to my worries."

Kenji explains that his main goal is to encourage people.

"I've received comments from followers who've said that they were stuck in traffic and when they saw the graffiti of the Chaigo, it made their day."

No longer a stray.

The evolution of the Chaigo from 2013 to 2019. IMAGE: Kenji Chai

Six years on, Kenji's signature graffiti has not only traveled the world but has undergone various evolutions. Some of his friends have joked that the Chaigo appears a lot "fatter" now.



"I think it's because these days he gets to eat a little bit more compared to before," Kenji quips.



The artist does not use any stencils to produce the Chaigo. Everything is done by hand.



"I have produced over thousands of Chaigo so much so these days I rely solely on muscle memory."

Kenji's principle in avoiding nudity, sensationalism, and politics while focusing on the environment and positivity has opened doors to collaborate with many big brands.

Among the brands he has collaborated with include the likes of Johnny Walker, Tiger beer, Puma, Skechers Malaysia, and Uniqlo Malaysia.

IMAGE: Samuel Hernandez Tong / Mashable Southeast Asia

With Chaigo turned into pins, stickers, included in t-shirts, caps, bags and even an action figure.



"For me, merchandizing the dog and turning it into a brand is the way forward," he says, adding that he's open to collaborating with others.

Sorry, limited copies of the Chaigo have already been snapped up. IMAGE: Samuel Hernandez Tong / Mashable Southeast Asia

Next, Kenji hopes to turn Chaigo into an animated character.



"I would love to see Chaigo brought to life, entertaining not only children but adults. Hopefully, when the right partner comes along, this dream can be materialized."

Here's wishing Kenji and Chaigo every bit of success. Follow Kenji on Instagram and Chaigo on Facebook.

Cover image by Samuel Hernandez Tong / Mashable Southeast Asia.