Hello Kitty Overview
Artist Buff Monster has collaborated with Hello Kitty and Sanrio for over a decade, drawn to the character's iconic status and deep connection to his own childhood. His approach to reinterpreting Hello Kitty stays close to her original design, as he believes she is "perfect just as she is." Buff Monster's love of pink, cute characters, and the contrast of his heavy metal influences creates an unexpected yet harmonious blend with Hello Kitty’s aesthetic. He admires Hello Kitty’s boldness, consistency, and her role as a driving force in cute culture, which aligns with his appreciation for Japanese cultural as a whole.
35th Anniversary
In 2009, Buff Monster participated in Hello Kitty’s 35th anniversary exhibition, “Three Apples,” marking the first-ever Hello Kitty art show. The exhibition, held at a gallery/tea shop, created a lighthearted and celebratory atmosphere, far from the formality of traditional galleries. Reflecting on the experience, Buff Monster described it as "such an honor and almost surreal" to be working with Hello Kitty, a brand he grew up with and admired for its boldness and impact on cute culture.
For the show, Buff Monster created a colorful painting that symbolized Hello Kitty’s enduring cultural influence. "I thought it would be fitting to portray the timelessness and scale of Hello Kitty as geometric mountains," he said, adding that her presence in the middle of the scene, holding a balloon with a subtle skull inside, suggested her lasting legacy. Sanrio, Hello Kitty's parent company, swiftly purchased the painting, but signed and numbered giclée prints were produced in time for the show's opening.
In addition to the painting, Buff Monster designed a series of Hello Kitty heads, silkscreened on small wood panels in a variety of colors. These pieces sold out quickly, leading him to create a second edition with a slightly different design, which also sold out quickly.
Buff Monster’s contribution and the overall success of “Three Apples” showcased the versatility and enduring appeal of Hello Kitty. The show not only attracted art enthusiasts but also strengthened Hello Kitty’s position as a cultural icon, blending art, nostalgia, and pop culture in a fresh, engaging way. The enthusiasm for the show, highlighted by the quick sell-out of Buff Monster's work, reflected Hello Kitty's broad and lasting appeal across generations.
Sanrio's 50th Anniversary
In 2010, Sanrio celebrated its 50th anniversary with a grand event and art show called "Small Gift." Sanrio, known for its extensive roster of over 200 characters, focused on 50 for this event, giving artists the opportunity to explore a variety of beloved figures beyond Hello Kitty.
As part of the celebration, Buff Monster was given his own stand-alone booth to create a mini-show within the larger exhibition. "I started with a solid pink background, of course," he shared, noting how it set the tone for the five original paintings that anchored the space. The centerpiece of Buff Monster's booth was a detailed painting titled *All My Favorite Flavors*, which featured 35 of Sanrio's characters. Buff Monster’s signature use of bright colors and bold black lines brought the characters to life. The left wall of his booth displayed a whimsical ice cream-inspired mural, while the right wall featured two editions of silkscreened wood panels—this time starring My Melody and Batz Maru—following the success of his Hello Kitty panels from the previous show. Buff Monster’s colorful, playful reinterpretations were a hit, and the prints and wood panels sold out quickly, reinforcing the broad appeal of Sanrio’s characters when seen through his artistic lens.
The "Small Gift" event, held at Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, offered more than just an art show. The large venue allowed for a vibrant, immersive experience, complete with a pop-up shop, product retrospective, mini golf, an arcade, food trucks, a Ferris wheel, and workshops. With 50 artists curated by JapanLA contributing to the art exhibition, the event blended art, fun, and nostalgia for all ages. Sanrio’s decision to combine art with interactive entertainment made the anniversary event a huge success, resonating with both longtime fans and newcomers. Buff Monster’s work, in particular, helped highlight the versatility and timelessness of Sanrio’s characters, while bringing a fresh, modern perspective to the iconic brand. The collaboration strengthened Sanrio's cultural relevance, showing how their beloved characters could thrive in contemporary art spaces and popular culture.
40th Anniversary & Hello Kitty Con
In 2014, Buff Monster was invited to contribute to Hello Kitty's 40th anniversary marking yet another collaboration with Sanrio. This celebration was larger than any previous Hello Kitty events, with two massive attractions happening side by side: the anniversary art show at Japanese American National Museum (JANM) and the first-ever Hello Kitty Convention at the Geffen Contemporary, a branch of the Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles (MOCA).
For the show at JANM, Buff Monster created one of his largest canvases to date, featuring nearly 40 unique interpretations of Hello Kitty, blending traditional poses with fresh, original designs. "It was an honor to participate in the celebration of such a lovable icon," he remarked. His meticulous attention to detail, working over many days, made his contribution stand out at the JANM show, where all the artwork was more ambitious and varied than in previous exhibitions. The piece was one of a only a few that was selected for a print run, allowing collectors to take home a special part of the celebration, further highlighting its popularity and significance.
Meanwhile, at the bustling Hello Kitty Con, Buff Monster collaborated with JapanLA, run by Jamie Rivadeneira, the curator of the previous Hello Kitty shows. Together, they released a very limited-edition t-shirt and a small batch of hand-cast, hand-painted resin figures. This partnership allowed Buff Monster to directly connect with Hello Kitty’s devoted fanbase, offering exclusive merchandise that further enriched the convention experience.
Overall, the combination of the art exhibition and Hello Kitty Con made this celebration a massive success for Sanrio. The scale and ambition of the two events highlighted Hello Kitty's enduring influence on Japanese and global pop culture. Buff Monster’s unique artistic contribution and limited-edition products helped elevate the brand’s connection with fans, ensuring that Hello Kitty's 40th anniversary was a memorable and engaging celebration of the iconic character’s legacy.
45th Anniversary
In 2019, Buff Monster participated in Hello Kitty's 45th anniversary exhibition, organized by Corey Helford Gallery. The show featured a large group of artists, many of whom had previously reinterpreted the iconic character for earlier anniversary exhibitions. Reflecting on the experience, Buff Monster noted, “We’ve all grown up with Hello Kitty in one way or another, and it’s great to have the opportunity to officially reinterpret her over and over.” The opening at Corey Helford Gallery was the largest Buff Monster had seen, a testament to Hello Kitty’s enduring appeal.
For this event, Buff Monster created a vibrant composition featuring multiple Hello Kitty characters rendered in a variety of bright colors, including smooth gradients of pink, orange, yellow, and green. "Hello Kitty always seems better in multiples," he explained, a concept that allowed him to play with an expanded color palette while still using his signature bold black lines to tie the composition together. This colorful, dynamic piece resonated with collectors, and his painting sold quickly, along with a limited edition of prints that also sold out fast.
The success of Buff Monster’s work at the show reinforced Hello Kitty’s lasting impact on both fans and the art world. His playful, vibrant reinterpretation added fresh energy to the iconic character, contributing to the overall success of the 45th anniversary exhibition. By combining nostalgia with contemporary art, the show continued to celebrate Hello Kitty’s cultural significance and her ability to inspire both artists and collectors across generations.