Most superheroes lead double lives—Bruce Wayne is also Batman, and Peter Parker is Spider-Man. At INTI, one lecturer does something similar. By day, Chris Tan teaches at the INTI Centre of Art & Design (ICAD). Outside the classroom, he’s known as “Bez”, a character designer whose work is gaining attention.
Chris graduated from The One Academy and holds a Master of Arts from the University of Hertfordshire in the UK. While he teaches design, he also works on a personal project centred around a character named Baby. Inspired by retro-futuristic and nostalgic themes, Baby has resonated with many. In fact, Chris was invited to host a pop-up exhibition called A Boy Named Baby: Art & Toy Exhibition at Bukit Jalil Tsutaya Books, which runs from March to April.
Chris hopes to continue developing A Boy Named Baby, with plans for more exhibitions and a picture book based on the character. His work reflects the balance between creative practice and teaching and highlights industry-relevant experiences shared with students at INTI.
Chris Tan, also known as Bez, adds the final touches to one of his “Baby” design figurines.
A Boy Named Baby is a vibrant tribute to 1980s pop culture, seen through the imagination of a young boy longing for adventure. “There are many elements that inspire me, and most of the outcomes are my ‘personal reflections’, especially from my childhood,” said Chris. He draws ideas from icons like Darth Vader, basketball legend Michael Jordan, and the Kamen Rider series. His latest work, Baby Rider, takes inspiration from both the series and his daughter. “It’s a mix; I draw certain inspiration from my child, especially her responses,” he said.
A Boy Named Baby: Art & Toy Exhibition at Tsutaya Books, Bukit Jalil, showcasing stickers, tote bags, framed artworks, oil paintings, and more—open until 6 April 2025.
Before entering the education and art scene, Chris worked in graphic design at an advertising agency. “But I’ve always wanted to do ‘traditional art’, even though I was heavily associated with digital arts,” he said. Over time, he expanded his skills into carpentry—creating wooden pieces for the Baby collection—and taught himself oil painting, dedicating two years to practising before taking it seriously.
For Chris, creating art is more than just a side project—it’s personal expression. Balancing this with teaching and family is not without its challenges. “Managing time, especially for family, is challenging,” he admitted. Fortunately, his team at ICAD has been a strong support system. “My department has been supportive and encourages lecturers to try new things that can inspire students,” he said.
One of Chris’s artworks, Fly Like MJ, was inspired by his high school idol, Michael Jordan.