Brand Story
MonoToon Studio is Kainny’s creative project and brand, dedicated to capturing Hong Kong’s hidden corners, fading traditions, and defining moments. Through her work, she seeks to treasure the city’s unique identity and honor its beauty, resilience, and heritage.
At its heart, MonoToon is about storytelling – recording Kainny’s upbringing, preserving Hong Kong’s heritage through her personal lens, and inviting others to reflect on their own memories. It’s a tribute to the city’s spirit, celebrating its contrasts and cultural richness.
The name “MonoToon” is a playful twist on the familiar term “monotone”. It reflects the essence of the studio’s vision: “Mono” represents its black-and-white palette, evoking timelessness and nostalgia, while “Toon” symbolizes the use of toon-shaded art. Together, the name embodies a minimalist yet emotionally rich approach to storytelling.
MonoToon’s use of toon-shaded 3D art marks a bold shift from Kainny’s hyperrealistic oil painting. This reflects a response to a fast-changing world, echoing Hong Kong’s ability to balance tradition and modernity and “can-do” spirit. The stripped-down, graphic forms of toon shading feel fresh yet familiar, allowing the focus to remain on the stories being told.
MonoToon Studio is more than an art project—it’s a love letter to Hong Kong. It invites the community to share their own stories and perspectives, fostering a deeper understanding of the city’s culture and heritage. Through its artwork, MonoToon celebrates Hong Kong’s identity, preserving its essence for generations to come.
Artist’s Story
Kainny was born and raised in Hong Kong, a city where tradition and modernity collide in a symphony of contrasts. This unique duality has deeply shaped her perspective and continues to fuel her artistic vision.
As a self-taught artist, Kainny first honed her craft in hyperrealistic oil painting, capturing the fragility and depth of life through intricate details. However, in response to the fast-changing world, she boldly decided to shift from the traditional realm of hyperrealism to the digital world of toon-shaded art—a type of non-photorealistic digital art.
Art is more than personal expression for her – it is a tool to evoke emotions, preserve memories, and inspire reflection. Deeply connected to Hong Kong, her hometown, she is ambitious to honor its beauty, heritage, and resilience through her work. She embarked on a new project to capture the city’s hidden corners, fading traditions and defining moments, and treasure Hong Kong’s unique identity.
Kainny’s vision extends beyond her personal journey. Her art invites the community to share and reflect on what makes Hong Kong special and also helps others unfamiliar with its history and heritage better understand and appreciate the city’s rich culture.
MonoToon Studio 