In September 2021, Malaysian graffiti and digital artist Abdul Hafiz Abdul Rahman, known professionally as Katun, sold out his inaugural NFT collection in record time. All 50 pieces of his work titled Apes Stand Strong sold for a combined value of 1.6 million RM within 30 minutes, making him the first artist to launch on the NFT platform Superfarm.
The Collections and Their Meaning
Apes Stand Strong addresses volatility and the need for unity in uncertain times, according to Katun’s own explanation. His second drop, Mystical Fruits, followed and sold more than 776 tokens in 24 hours. Katun described Mystical Fruits as representing the anticipation of one’s labour bearing fruit, becoming something spectacular and rewarding—a reflection of personal evolution.
As an additional incentive, Katun announced that 20 percent of Mystical Fruits holders would be randomly selected to receive an evolved version of the artwork, titled Garden of Bloom.
Challenges and the Future of NFT Art
Despite his success, Katun acknowledged significant challenges in navigating cryptocurrency markets and their volatile price swings. The artist invested nine months in planning before launch, requiring strategic coordination at every step. He emphasized that NFTs remain in their early stages but represent a valuable avenue for artists to reach diverse communities while physical art continues to exist. Katun also praised the Malaysian NFT community for its openness in sharing information with newcomers, and he indicated plans to develop additional NFT projects.
Frequently asked questions
What are NFTs?
NFTs, or non-fungible tokens, are a type of cryptocurrency that is unique and cannot be exchanged for another identical token. Any digital item—including images, music, or recordings—can become an NFT, though digital art NFTs surged in popularity during 2021.
Who is Katun?
Katun is the professional name of Abdul Hafiz Abdul Rahman, a Malaysian graffiti and digital artist recognized as one of the country’s leading figures in both disciplines.
How many NFTs did Katun sell and at what value?
Katun sold all 50 pieces of his Apes Stand Strong collection for a total of 1.6 million RM in 30 minutes, and his Mystical Fruits drop sold more than 776 tokens in 24 hours.