KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 7 — Sometimes we have to see beyond what we are looking at to discover something special. Fong Kam Wei, creator of ceramic goldfish series Bo and Friends, chanced upon his popular character by accident.

Coming from the world of advertising, he was always stressed so one day, he decided to look at the goldfish in his aquarium. As he sat there staring at the fish, he realised that there was a connection between him and the goldfish.

“Goldfish are believed to have a three-second memory. They lead very happy lives, just eating, sleeping and playing. They are very simple and live in harmony. I wanted to live like a goldfish because with their three-second memory, they forget about stress easily and become happy again,” said Fong.

While observing the goldfish, he decided to doodle and from doodling, he saw that maybe he could turn the character into something that he liked.

Creator of Bo, Fong Kam Wei found happiness in the little goldfish.

Bo and Friends started out as a doodle back in 2003 when he started collecting and rearing goldfish.

Although he is currently in the advertising industry as a short-term creative consultant, he enjoys designing and creating art.

He quit his job as head of design at an international agency and decided to do short-term contracts to reduce stress.

He started out by drawing goldfish before deciding that he wanted to explore more possibilities with Bo. While taking a break from working in 2007, Fong decided to pick up making ceramics from an instructor in Segambut Dalam.

“It was not easy turning something 2D into 3D. Goldfish comes in different breeds and I like the ranchu or lionhead. I wanted to create the ranchu because it is unique. Unlike most goldfish, the ranchu does not have a dorsal fin. Also, over time, the eyes move towards the front,” explained Fong.

He admitted that when he learned to make ceramics, he was not very good at making pots. Somehow, he was better at making Bo.

At first glance, most people mistake the goldfish for a dolphin, whale, pig or elephant. This is because the goldfish is so fat and round.

Would you like your Bo topped with chocolate sauce like ice cream? (left). Paper Bo is a way to make your own version of Bo (right).

“I chose the name Bo because in Cantonese bo means precious or treasure. Also, it sounds like something that is round,” said Fong.

In 2010, Fong decided to start selling his Bo and Friends collection. It started when his boss wanted to buy his ceramic Bo. Soon, his colleagues also inquired about it.

A collection of Bo memorabilia in the form of posters.

They encouraged him to start a business. A friend decided to join the project and register the design as well as the logo. However, after some time, Fong decided to take full reins of the company again.

Sometimes, he makes limited edition Bo figurines. From Bo stacked into an ice cream pile to colourful polka dotted Bo, it can take many forms and yet people still recognise the adorable goldfish.

A cookie jar, cake stand and plate set featuring Bo.

Get your own collection of Bo from:

Outdated Publika

Level G3, Publika Shopping Gallery, 1 Jalan Dutamas 1, Solaris Dutamas, Kuala Lumpur

Snackfood

1st Floor, 17, Jalan Telawi 3, Bangsar Baru,  59100 Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur

You can also visit the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/boandfriends or Kam Wei’s blog at https://kamwei.wordpress.com/tag/bo-and-friends/