Michael Lau is an award-winning, Hong Kong-based artist who has captured the attention of artists, designers, musicians, toy manufacturers and street culture the world over.

Michael graduated from the Design First Institute in 1992. He worked as a painter, having some work featured in galleries around Hong Kong. Michael eventually moved on to window display designer and advertising. In 1997 he did his first 3D work on the cover of the Anodize music album. Previously his figure work was only seen by his friends and never put out for display. In 1998 Michael began the Gardner comic strip in East Touch magazine. Eventually all of the characters he illustrated became figures.

His primary medium now is the 12" figure. All of the bodies, clothes, accessories and heads are handmade by Michael. He has featured kids, basketball players, graffiti artists, rappers, dj's, skateboarders, snowboarders and wakeboarders in his collections. Their clothes reflective of many of the top brands in those fields. I.E. His skateboarders wear shoes by DC and clothes by Alphanumeric. His snowboarders ride Burton snowboards. Some even wear very trendy fashions from Bathing Ape, Maharishi, Saru and Zero Nine.

Water suspends elements, reflects, refracts and distorts images. The people who are carefree and enjoy creating and experimenting are known as "Gardeners". If you combine the effects of water to the creative process and the creative people then you have an explosion of life, energy and art. The Watergarden exhibition tries to convey the many ideas behind the label Gardener.

Michael took the Gardener concept and made it three-dimensional with his figure work. He adopted the name Gardener from Watergarden and combined it with "Gala" as in celebration, exhibition of life despite criticism and change.

Michael captures the look of global street and (true) Hip Hop culture. Whether it is skateboarding, dee jay-ing, snowboarding, wakeboarding, playing basketball or just hanging out, his figures look exactly like kids that you may know. According to Michael this was part of his original goal. Their faces, looks and attitude are right from real life.

The Gardenergala figures capture youth culture better than any photo, illustration or magazine article I've ever seen. They are physical manifestations of cultural ideals. If you were to study the figures you'd notice little details that add up to an understanding of the culture he's trying to convey.

As you can see by "Box D" on the right Michael is great at capturing the look of real skaters and kids today. Of course that is without the box for a head.

Michael knows and respects skateboarding as a whole and certainly knows its history. Take a look at the skull and snake graphic on the skate deck. "Old school" skateboarders would recognize that graphic as Mike McGill's original graphic for Powell Peralta, designed by Vernon Courtlandt Johnson. One of the most revolutionary skateboard graphic artists from the early '80s. But instead of being the original skull and snake Michael has chosen to characterize the skull with his own.

The Gardeners themselves aren't stuck in the past but also feature skaters with modern decks skating contemporary street.

You can also see that the figure included a skateboard and a bag (for a change of clothes). Most figures even came with a sticker sheet or comic strip.

The number 5 on the front signifies which model of Maxx he is. When Michael sold his Gardeners at toy shows and boutiques there were 10 copies per character (Maxx, Miss, Brian, Tatto and Uncle) each in a numbered box. Each copy had a unique element, such as different clothes or shoes. The figures were sold to galleries, close friends and private collectors. The number on the boxes was also a play on "selling out" the Gardener figures as if the series was going to be mass produced.

For the record there are only a handful of original Gardeners in the world. Do not be fooled by imitators or pirated figures that you might see pop up in online auctions or stores.

If you are interested in getting one of Michael's actual 12" creations be prepared to do some serious hunting. The cost of a 12" figure is in the neighborhood of $4,000 to $10,000. This price varies given the condition of the figure, condition of the box. Or if it even comes with a box, accessories and autograph.

To read an article all about the Neatnik figures please visit Strangeco. The images and original story (in Japanese) are courtesy of Gardenercrazys.

The figures featured custom clothes and a custom head on top of a generic figure body, like that of a 12" GI Joe. Although these figures are not considered Gardenergala figures, they are still referred to as Happy Gardeners.

To the right you can see that Michael's eye for design and detail was evident in the pre-gardener figures that exist outside of Michael's studio.

This Gardener is based on Hardy Blechman, who is better known in fashion and culture circles as the creative director of Maharishi (MHI for short). Hardy is a traveler, author, spiritualist and fashion pioneer. His clothing has been worn by the likes of Madonna, Brad Pitt and Janet Jackson.

Maharishi serves as one of the pioneers of functional clothing for street culture. Many labels are caught up with the hype of being the most popular or expensive clothes, but the Maharishi wear is durable, stylish, functional and made in India.

Hardy has granted interviews on various topics to web pages and the occasional author. His fresh approach to spiritual beliefs and fashion has no doubt rubbed off on Michael. This explains why Gardener 102" was presented upside down in one of the meditative poses that Hardy has been photographed in. The real Hardy is the one on the far left.

NY Fat was re-released at the August 2003 Toycon with a limited edition paint scheme reflecting the actual colors of a Krylon paint can.

Thanks to Damian with Maharishi for securing me a mini figure!

It is difficult to see on this picture but there are plastic figures from Japan on his shelf alongside Playmobil figures and a statue created by UK comic artist Simon Bisley. It is also interesting to note that Michael surrounds his space with other influences like skateboards and bmx bikes.

One of the neat things occupying space in his studio is a life-size replica of Lam Dog, NY Thin and Brian. You can see them on the left. Of course NY Thin and Brian are always wearing the latest clothing and shoes, but in both cases they are accurate for the lifestyle they represent.

This picture of Michael's studio is relatively organized compared to the chaotic mess of plastic, sculpting tools and clay on his actual drawing table.

Be sure and notice the small Lam Dog hanging from the chain on Brian's pocket as well as the Gardenergala skateboard in the background.

As you can see Michael mixed his mediums and used both drawings and photographs of his figures in the strips.

The people at East Touch magazine have gone on to influence Michael's work and he has released a figure based on an actual writer for East Touch named Meter Chen. You can see Meter in the Crazy Children page.

Sony understands the brand that Gardenergala represents and they are trying to keep it underground. This not only protects the original artistic vision but also helps build brand recognition and a respectable reputation. So products with the Gardenergala name were few and far between during the original Japanese exhibitions in 2001. There were a few posters, tee shirts, a CD-Rom, a credit card and four 6" Gardeners made in at least one hue (original color, "Lazy" (black and white) and gray-tone) during the gallery presentations.

At the end of the Japanese presentations Michael published a book of his work with full-size picture reproductions of all the Gardeners. This box came packed with a 6" Maxx (first time available) and a CD-Rom. The only other license that featured the Gardener figures were a series of collectible sports drink bottles from Japan by Calpis (pictured left). There was a lottery in Japan for people that collected winning caps from the bottles, they won five 3", limited edition Gardenergala figures.

Aly, Gardener 54", second from far left, is based on one of the designers and founders of Fiberops named Aly.

Jan, Gardener 75", third from far left, is based on Jan Lam, actor, singer and director.

Hardy 102" of course is based on Hardy Blechman the founder of Maharishi.

From left to right: Lazy Yan, Gardener 67", Lazy XXX, Gardener 68" and Lazy DJ Tommy, Gardener 68".

In 2003 the band released "Finalazy Muthafucka" and this statement: "It will be the last EP until further notice. The band will be temporarily put on hold while members work on other projects."

Michael Lau recognizes this and often presents Jordon in the Gardener Exhibitions by including many different models and color schemes of the Jordan Brand shoes around the character.

Jordon image courtesy of Gardenercrazys.