Monika Viktoria is an Australian artist, painter, designer and indie toy maker who recently debuted her very first designer toy – the Singing Bryophyte resin. Which was made in collaboration with UK based manufacturer ‘Made By Cooper’.

Like many designer toy fans and artists – hello Paul Kaiju – Monika first became exposed to the world of designer toys and customising thanks to Blythe. She has been working in the fine art and designer / custom toy and doll worlds for many years now, to much acclaim.

Monika grew up as a teenager in Australia with an absent father and sick mother, taking solace as a teenager in the digital world of Zelda, and the fantasy world of elves, archery, nature and general whimsy. Themes prevalent in Monika’s work to this day.

(Photo below of  some Bryophyte art by Monika)

So without further ado, now is the perfect time to find out more about Monika, her art and life, by reading the Art Talk interview below…

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• Produced By = Frank Mysterio (Mexico)
• Figure Name = ‘Primitivo’ aka ‘Primitive Monster’
• Custom By = Frank Mysterio (one off custom)
• Release Details = Frank Mysterio – ‘Primitivo’ aka ‘Primitive Monster’ soft vinyl – One Off (Custom request by Art Whore from February 2017)
• Material = Soft Vinyl (made in Mexico)
• Country of Production = Mexico
• Height = 23 cm
• Depth = 7 cm
• Width = 15 cm (arm to arm)
• No of Parts = 4 (head, body + 2 arms)
• Released = February 2017
• Sculpt Debut = February 2017
• Price = US$ 70
• Genre = Sofvi

Read the full review and pics after the jump…

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Kjelshus Collins aka ‘Killajayzeus’ aka ‘Howaitogoburin’ is an American multidisciplinary artist who came to our attention thanks to his amazingly unique sculpts. From there we quickly found Kjelshus’ other work in the mediums of print, painting, ceramics and sketching. All imbued with Kjelshus’ unique eye, love of the absurd, pop culture, beautiful lines and dada-esque craftsmanship.

(Picture below of Kjelshus’ just released soft vinyl figure – the Paleonaut)

With Kjelshus having recently released his debut soft vinyl, and much more always in the works, now is a great time to get to know the man and his art, by reading the Art Talk interview below…

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• Produced By = ‘DRWGco’ (Wales)
• Figure Name = The Assassin (From the ongoing Secret Chiefs series)
• Custom By = Keegan Kaya McGee (Did the header art, the included sticker and also picked the keshi colorway)
• Release Details = DRWGco – The Assassin keshi – Keegan Kaya McGee Collab – Swirl Rubber Series of 30.
• Material = Keshi (made in the UK)
• Country of Production = UK (keshi production by ‘Tru Tek’)
• Height = 6cm
• Depth =  6cm (nose to rear hand)
• Width =  5.25cm (foot to foot)
• No of Parts = 1
• Extras = Cardboard header + foil sticker
• Released = January 2017
• Sculpt Debut = September 2016
• Release Price = $US 15
• Genre = Keshi

Read the full review and pics after the jump…

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Julio Sanchez Roldan is a Spanish artist and designer who releases art toys under the name ‘Better Days Toys’. Julio’s works stand out amongst the often repetitive art toy scene with creations that hint at classic toys of the past, whilst also being unique, odd and full of personality.

Julio’s talent has seen him work with British artist Kyle Platts and American artist Jesse Moynihan on collaborative figures. It has also cemented his reputation as a visionary in the scene.

(Picture below of the Unhappy Wives resin figure from ‘Better Days Toys’)

With Julio recently venturing into keshi production, and hinting at one off works to and more to come, now is the perfect time to get to know the man, his art, and toys, by reading the Art Talk interview, below…

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Australian artist, designer and musician is the man behind ‘Masons of Kenya’ – a label producing all sorts of design, art, apparel and ephemera. From stickers, pins, patches to large neon signs. All imbued with Kane’s aesthetic mix of pop culture, the occult and general esoteric practices.

(Picture below of a large neon sign designed by Kane)

With Kane and ‘Masons of Kenya’ on the rise, now is the perfect time to get to know them both, by reading the Art Talk below…

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• Produced By = Hints and Spices (Australia)
• Figure Name = Kowaiila
• Custom By = Hints and Spices
• Release Details = Kowaiila sofvi – Soft Vinyl Sydney – Sydney Skyline series of 5
• Material = Sofubi (made in Japan soft vinyl)
• Country of Production = Japan w/ figure design and custom work done in Australia
• Height = 9 cm
• Depth = 3.5 cm
• Width = 5 cm
• No of Parts = 2
• Released = January 2017 at the ‘Soft Vinyl Sydney’ show
• Sculpt Debut = 2013
• Release Price = $ AU 65
• Genre = Sofvi

Read the full review and pics after the jump…

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• Produced By = ‘Tovi’ (Australia)
• Figure Name = Manjusagi
• Custom By = ‘Tovi’
• Release Details = Manjusagi sofvi – Jam Jelly One Off (from the Soft Vinyl Sydney Donut Series of 3 One Offs)
• Material = Sofubi (made in Japan soft vinyl)
• Country of Production = Japan w/custom work done in Australia
• Height = 3cm
• Length = 5cm
• Width = 3cm
• No of Parts = 1
• Other = Comes packed in cardboard box
• Released = January 2017 at the ‘Soft Vinyl Sydney’ show
• Sculpt Debut = 2014
• Release Price = $ AU 40–
• Genre = Sofvi

Read the full review and pics after the jump…

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‘Go Figure News’ is an art site focusing on art toys of all types. The site was founded in 2014 by American artist, theorist and curator TJ Norris. It hosts news, articles and thought pieces on everything art toy related – well worth bookmarking.

(Picture below of ‘GFN’ head honcho – Mr TJ Norris)

Well, as art toys are on the rise once again in general pop culture we felt it would be a good idea to have a chat with TJ about toys, life, art and ‘Go Figure News’ – read all about it in the Art Talk, below…

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The Soft Vinyl Sydney exhibition is the groundbreaking soft vinyl art toy show happening this weekend in Sydney, Australia. SVS is happening from the 21st and 22nd of January at the ‘Lord Gladstone’ pub in Sydney. Featuring over 30 artists from all over the world taking part. It will be a glorious sight to see. Weird monsters of all imaginable shapes, sizes forms and colors.

And… for the uninitiated soft vinyl is a subset of the general art toy scene. With the artists working in it making their own toys, doing customs of existing ones – or both. Sculptural pop art – to find out more about art toys and sofubi, check out the ‘Art Whore’ piece from last year: What Exactly Are Art Toys And How Can We Critique Them?.

So, with the SVS show happening in less than a week now is the perfect time to find out all about it, from the people involved, by reading the Art Talk interview, below…

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