LeonLollipop brings his iconic Gloomie cat to Harbour City for first solo exhibition

If you share our complete inability to resist anything involving cats, this new exhibition by local artist Leon Lai – aka LeonLollipop – is going to be right up your street. Running from now to October 25 at Gallery by the Harbour, the ‘Gloomie Museum’ reimagines classical masterpieces through the eyes of Lai’s signature chubby-faced Gloomie cat.

Not only is the exhibition the artist’s first solo show, but it also marks the debut of his 100th Gloomie portrait titled Gloomie Lisa, a Kai Tak-inspired take on Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa. The rest of the pieces continue through art history while incorporating familiar Hong Kong scenery, offering playful tributes to some of the world’s most celebrated artists such as Claude Monet, Vincent van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, and Andy Warhol.

Away from the Western classics, Lai also brings in bits of his own story and nostalgia, including a traditional ink-style painting referencing his earliest drawing of a shrimp and a pop-art interpretation of the beloved local canned delicacy, fried dace with salted black beans. Visitors will also find 17 Gloomie sculptures dotted around the room, seven of which recreate famous art styles in feline form, while the remaining 10 make up an adorable ‘Kitty Army’ of soldiers inspired by ancient Terracotta Warriors.

For those who’d like to bring something to bring home, the merchandise lineup includes blind-box keychains, tote bags, umbrellas, limited-edition vinyl art toys, and more. Buying any item, or simply following Gloomie Cat on Instagram (@gloomie.cat) or Xiaohongshu, gets you two free limited-edition postcards. You can take these around four stamp stations located across the gallery space to complete a special illustration as a small souvenir.

Gloomie Museum by LeonLollipop @Harbour City
When: Now until October 25 (11am-9pm)
Where: Gallery by the Harbour (Shop 207, Level 2, Ocean Centre, Harbour City)

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