D. Chooi moved to New Zealand in 1996 from Malaysia for his studies and he began to find himself through homoerotic art – paying focus on the gay bear subculture. Gaining popularity and notoriety through online social circles, he began to produce artwork depicting the bigger, more hirsute 'bear' figures, under the 'DChooiDoodles' moniker. Inspired by prominent artists of this genre, his bear art spoke of the gay male confidence, masculinity and sexual appeal. D. Chooi gained a Master degree in Art & Design at the age of 44 in 2017, and sees himself as a budding academic. His research domain is within illustrative storytelling, belonging, gay bear and immigrant identity.