Meet Artist Desmond Lo

Hong Kong-based artist, Desmond Lo, is known for his neo-noir digital artworks featuring alternative reality and other-worldly portrayals of his hometown and beyond. With imagery ranging from a photorealistic eclipse over a desert, to a dark rainy alleyway lit by neon lights, Desmond aims to take viewers on a mesmerising visual journey. Having exhibited his work at Affordable Art Fair Hong Kong for the first time in 2019, with a fantastic response, we meet the man behind the lens to learn more about the inspiration behind the cyberpunk works on our online marketplace.

Hi Desmond! Can you start by telling us a bit about your practice?

I’m pretty much a Jack of all Trades. I work as a creative director/motion graphics designer full time, and I make images that I post on my Instagram account during my free time. (Shameless plug: @des.lo)

People often mistake my work as photographic pieces, but they are actually all 3D rendered digital artworks. Everything you see is made with a computer. The reason why my work looks photorealistic is because of Octane Render, a render engine that has the ability to replicate physically accurate lighting, so I can create highly realistic textures, reflections and refractions.

The easiest way to explain the process, is that it’s like playing with Lego within a computer, but using 3D models or building blocks.

Why have you chosen to portray Hong Kong with elements such as neon lights, and Blade Runner-esque sci-fi settings which have a distinctly Japanese influence?

A lot of cyberpunk works, whether they are anime or movies, are inspired and influenced by aspects of Hong Kong. From its architecture, neon signs down to our way of life. I try to replicate the cinematic atmosphere that you find in movies like Blade Runner. Since I’m a big fan of the cyberpunk genre, and I’m making cyberpunk-influenced art pieces, it’s kind of like coming “full circle”.

Neon lights are more than just the usual signage you see on the streets. They’re an art form in themselves and one of the many features of Hong Kong that give the city its unique aesthetic. I wanted to represent them in my own way, by creating images of the vibrant and colourful Hong Kong that I nostalgically remember.

What inspired you to take up photography?

None other than the photographic master Fan Ho. The way he plays with light and shadows is unparalleled, I wish I could see the world/shoot like that. 

Who has been the biggest influence on your work?

Mike Winkelmann (better known as Beeple), is the godfather of my Everyday Project. He’s been creating work and posting for 12 years straight and hasn’t missed a day, his drive and consistency is what I admire the most. He’s the main reason why I got into making digital art in the first place.

The process through which I create my artworks is rather spontaneous, as they are all part of my Everyday Project. Back when I first started making these art pieces, I wanted to get better at the 3D software that I use. Starting with a blank canvas everyday forced me to be creative, even when I don’t feel like making anything, so most of the time I just ended up making whatever came into my mind.

How would you describe a typical day in your studio?

A constant feeling of guilt and inner struggle! I try to do work and be productive, but always end up getting distracted and procrastinating.

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What would you saw are the most rewarding and most challenging aspects of being an artist today?

I’d say the most rewarding aspect would be the way my work inspires others. Sometimes I’ll get messages from people telling me how they got into digital art / 3D renders because they’ve seen my work. It makes me really happy knowing that my work is sparking an interest in others.

I didn’t actually realise what one challenge would be until recently, when I started making artworks inspired by the on-going protests in Hong Kong. I guess a new challenge is how to deal with “haters”.

You can try and have a civilised discussion with them but nine times out of ten it doesn’t work, because they don’t want to hear anything that doesn’t line up with their narrative. I personally think that if you can’t challenge your own views, then your views aren’t worth being held onto.

However, amongst the haters, you get people who really understand the ideas behind your work, where you’re coming from and love your work for it, so you have to take the bad with the good.

Thanks to Demond for such honesty about his practice, inspiration and challenges during a time of political unrest. Why not click here to browse Desmond’s work on our online marketplace. Alternatively, why not browse all photographic works here.

Featured art from first to last:
Desmond Lo, COMPRESSION, 2018, Archival Print, Red Chamber Gallery

Desmond Lo, RAINSTAIN, 2018, Archival Print, Red Chamber Gallery

Desmond Lo, OVERSHOT, 2018, Archival Print, Red Chamber Gallery

Desmond Lo, EVEREST, 2018, Archival Print, Red Chamber Gallery

Desmond Lo, SMD_COMPLEX, 2018, Archival Print, Red Chamber Gallery

Desmond Lo, SSP ICC, 2018, Archival Print, Red Chamber Gallery

Desmond Lo, RUINER, 2018, Archival Print, Red Chamber Gallery