Hong Kong artist Micheal Lau is known for his paintings, sculptures, and designer toy figures. Credited as the founder of the urban vinyl style of designer toys, his work since his 1999 exhibition Gardener has had a massive influence on designer toys and street culture, including artists and musicians. Michael Lau is widely credited as the founder of the urban vinyl style within the designer toy movement. In particular, his style has been influential to Asian and American hip-hop and skateboarding culture. By introducing the term ARTOYS in 2013 for his exhibition in Seoul, Korea, Michael has aimed to elevate the work of designer toys to the status of art, a belief he’s always held; hence, his recent statement declaring: “All Art Are Toys, All Toys Are Art.”