SOLD OUT... But Too Beautiful Not to Share: LEON MONK — HIC SVNT LEONES by Karmieh!

Sometimes a release comes along that’s so striking, so deeply thoughtful, you find yourself needing to write about it even after it's gone. That’s exactly how I feel about the Leon Monk — HIC SVNT LEONES by Karmieh. Yes, they’re already sold out. And yes, I’m still going to gush about them.

This piece isn’t just another art toy — it’s a quiet meditation wrapped in resin. Inspired by the ancient Roman phrase HIC SVNT LEONES ("here be lions"), which early cartographers used to mark the edges of the known world, the Leon Monk figure explores the uncharted territories of our own lives — the challenges, the transformations, the unknown paths we’re all navigating. It’s not just a sculpture — it’s a metaphor for growth, discovery, and resilience.

Each of the four figures was hand-painted in completely unique colorways and detailed with stunning floral and nature-inspired patterns. The nod to Gustav Klimt is unmistakable — that same rich, dreamlike ornamentation, layered with meaning and emotion. At just over 3 inches tall, the piece may be small in size, but it carries a massive presence... and at $99 a pop, each handmade version is a true work of art! 

As always with Karmieh’s work, the craftsmanship is top-tier: hand-painted resin, signed and numbered, and finished with a bundle of stickers and magnets — the kind of thoughtful extras that show how much love went into every inch of this release. They sold out in a flash, and honestly, I’m not surprised. If you managed to grab one, consider yourself lucky — you’ve got something really special. And if you didn’t… well, sometimes it’s still worth pausing to admire the beauty, even if it slipped through your fingers.

Karmieh continues to push boundaries with pieces that are as meaningful as they are beautiful — and Leon Monk is a perfect example of that. Here be lions indeed.