PANDY RIOTS
Immerse yourself in a confectionary-coloured wonderland where the kawaii boisterousness of manga collides with the rebellious drive of the Kitsch Pop Revolution with Pandy Riots. Gleefully building on the playful spirit of manga, Johnny Romeo captures the childlike charm, larger-than-life emotion and radiant fun that has fascinated generations of fans while filtering it through his inimitable Technicolour lens. At the centre of the painting is a rambunctious panda figure inspired by the fluffy, novelty panda helmet trend popularised in Japan, an endearing nod to manga’s light-hearted aesthetic that showcases Romeo’s penchant for humorous, imaginative imagery. Traditionally a symbol of peace, friendship, and love, the artist injects his vibrant panda with the spunky attitude of a renegade looking to shake up the serenity of their existence with some good old-fashioned mischief. By shifting the panda’s classic black-and-white palette with bold, vibrant tones, Romeo alters not just its appearance, but its very composition and outlook on life. Outfitted in a visor- free biker helmet confidently clipped into place, the panda is rough and ready to cause a ruckus with a charming blend of whimsy and rebellion. No longer a passive beast, the panda has been told to ‘Lose the Cruise’ but instead chooses its own joy-fuelled cruise towards empowerment. Titled Pandy Riots, the work suggests a subtle ‘disturbance in the peace’, a playful, powerful uprising that radiates with colour, character, and the freedom to live on your own terms.