Self-taught artist Nicholas Chuan expects a boom in digital art but is confident the traditional art form will not fade away.
Still only 19, Chuan has already produced digital art for Puma, Formula One, Liverpool, UEFA and Red Bull.
On the home front, he has teamed up with Prime Sports NFT – an NFT division under Prime Sports International – to produce non-fungible token (NFT) collectables for former national footballer Safee Sali and diving queen Datuk Pandelela Rinong Pamg.
“My goal is to set up a digital agency with some friends as I see a big market for NFT in the coming years,” said Chuan, from Penang.
“Although NFT has been in the market for a few years, it is new to Malaysians. It is slowly growing, and I am glad I got into it fairly early.
“NFT is a new way for athletes and brands to connect with fans. Athletes can also use it to earn revenue.
“It is relevant not just to the sports industry, but any industry. It helps brands reach a different audience as digital collectables are new.
“It is a way of letting people recognise each other and support products.
“I am still learning, but I am blessed to have worked with many big brands and famous athletes.”
Although he sees a future in digital art, Chuan said he also plans to delve into selling prints and merchandise as “people still appreciate them”.
A hardcore Manchester United fan, Chuan said it was strange to create art for fierce rival Liverpool and hopes to do something for the Red Devils.
For now, he has a contract with Red Bull to produce posters of each F1 Grand Prix this season.
On his collaboration with Prime Sports NFT, Chuan said it was an honour to work with two of his heroes – Safee and Pandelela.
“I am a huge football fan, and Safee was one of the players I followed.
“As for Pandelela, I remember as a schoolkid, watching her at the 2012 Olympics where she won a bronze (in the 10m platform), and my jaw dropping.
“It was a pleasure to collaborate with them both,” he added.
Separately, Yong-Chul Yun, founder of Prime Sports NFT, said the company hopes to recruit eight more athletes by early next year.
However, he said it was not about picking famous names.
“The athletes must show an interest in doing it. They need to know that they have to give up their time – exclusively to the winning bidder,” said Yong-Chul.
“For example, Safee and Pandelela agreed to hand-deliver framed printouts of the NFTs to the winning bidders.
“They also will spend time with the winner by either inviting them to an event, or they can attend a function – like a charity gala – of the winner’s choosing.”
He echoed Chuan and added that the Malaysian market is slowly picking up and expects a boom in NFT in the next couple of years.
