Surreal Pops of Color by Andrey Kasay

If you’re into illustration, chances are you’ve stumbled across the eccentric and surreal creations of Andrey Kasay before. Based in Berlin, this Russian artist has a knack for turning the mundane into mind-bending scenes that leave you both laughing and scratching your head. Whether it’s a fish lounging on a couch or a hot dog growing out of someone’s face, Kasay’s art is a journey into the bizarre – one that makes you question, chuckle, and sometimes feel a little uneasy.

Kasay’s work feels like a comic strip on a fever dream – full of bold colors, thick lines, and an unmistakable pop-art vibe. “For me, the three most important things about my work are: it should be funny, beautiful, and surprising in some way,” he explains. And surprise us, he does. His pieces often come with a healthy dose of humor, something that keeps viewers engaged and coming back for more.

Growing up along the Amur River in far eastern Russia, Kasay’s first inspirations came from the wilderness. He recalls the untamed landscapes, which still influence his work today. But it wasn’t until much later, when he needed extra cash as a musician, that he turned to illustration as a career. What began as a side hustle quickly took off, and now, his artwork has been showcased in solo and group exhibitions across the globe – from Europe and Asia to North and South America.

His client list reads like a who’s who of global brands: MTV, Nike, Red Bull, The New Yorker, and Adidas have all tapped into Kasay’s unique vision. He’s also been featured by big-name publications like VICE and WIRED. His approach to commercial work is as straightforward as his artwork is surreal: “If you come to me for my style – you’re welcome. If not – sorry, I cannot help you.”

Surrealism with a Pop Twist

So what exactly makes Kasay’s style stand out? It’s his ability to take something recognizable and flip it into a surrealist playground. Picture a basketball serving as a sun over mountains or subway cars filled with seals. His scenes, whether they’re animated or static, are filled with elements that playfully poke at society, consumerism, and corporate culture. “I talk about [these themes] in a satirical and humorous way,” Kasay says. He enjoys walking that fine line between comedy and tragedy, injecting absurdity into everyday scenarios.

One of his standout works, Mortgage, features two men lounging in a living room, but the room’s centerpiece is a giant fish, complete with a chandelier hanging off its back. Another piece, Business Lunch, shows two suited men sitting on trash bags, while one munches on a hot dog that’s literally sprouting from the face of the other. These aren’t just random quirky images – they’re reflections of the absurdity Kasay sees in the world.
Kasay isn’t just limited to static images. He’s made waves with his animations, which are just as surreal as his illustrations. Take, for example, the raccoon sponge animation for Paramount Comedy in Russia – it’s exactly as bizarre as it sounds, and yet it’s impossible to look away. “I’d love to make a cartoon – that’s my big goal,” Kasay says. And if his current body of work is any indication, we can only imagine what wonderfully weird worlds he’d bring to life in a longer format.

For Kasay, it’s not all fun and games. Beneath the absurdity lies a deeper commentary on the world we live in. He enjoys juxtaposing humor with more serious themes – a skill that keeps his work from feeling one-dimensional. “Comedy is a dead art form, but tragedy – now that’s funny,” he quips. It’s this combination of tragedy and comedy that gives his illustrations their unique tension, leaving us not entirely sure whether we should laugh, cry, or do both at once.

Andrey Kasay’s work is a visual adventure, where nothing is quite as it seems. From a pink baguette turning into a giraffe to a fish casually chilling in your living room, Kasay invites us into his world of the surreal and absurd, where you’re free to find your own meaning – or just enjoy the ride. As he puts it, “I like to tell people that my works are based on true stories, and, in a way, they are.”
So, next time you find yourself staring at a giant face hidden inside a coat, or a raccoon-turned-dish-sponge, remember: there’s a method to the madness, even if it’s not immediately obvious.