#AWTR – ‘DRWGco’ – The Assassin keshi – Keegan Kaya McGee Collab – Swirl Rubber Series of 30

  • 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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Art Talk – Julio Sánchez Roldán of ‘Betterdays Toys’

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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Art Talk – Kane Banner of ‘Masons of Kenya’

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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Art Talk – John Roderick Paine

John Roderick Paine is an Australian artist, designer and animator who first came to our attention back in 2014 thanks to his amazing sticker designs. In the 3 years since then John has gotten married, gained major hype thanks to his work with the ‘Hashtag Burgers’ crew and continued making his epic art at a maddening pace.

(Picture below of a self portrait by John)

With John continuing to make inroads in the global art scene, now is the perfect time to get to know the man and his art by reading the Art Talk interview, below…

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#AWTR – ‘Hints and Spices’ – Kowaiila sofvi – Sydney Skyline series of 5

  • 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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Art Talk – Rel Pham aka ‘Terhor’

Rel Pham aka ‘Terhor’ is an Australian artist who has been making major waves in the local scene for a few years now. His work a unique mix of pop art, dada, graffiti and digital culture.

Gaining his start in the world of graff and street art Rel has since pivoted into predominately making fine art. On top of this, ‘Terhor’ recently teamed up with fellow Australian art star Zeke’s Lunchbox, Voltron style to form the new entity TeeZee. With TeeZee both Rel and Zeke remain separate, yet joined. Teaming up for murals, group shows and commercial releases such as apparel.

(Some digital art by Rel, below)

With Terhor’s style having recently evolved once again – per it’s usual 2 year or so cycle – now is the perfect time to get to know the future cyborg and his art, by reading the Art Talk below…

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#AWTR – Manjusagi sofvi – Jam Jelly Donut one off (from the Soft Vinyl Sydney Series of 3 One Offs) – by ‘Tovi’

  • 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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Art Talk – Brooke Krumbeck aka ‘BK DIECI’

Brooke Krumbeck aka ‘BK DIECI’ is an Australian artist creating ethereal colourful works – dreamy landscapes populated with strange monsters, plants, trees and nude human like creatures called Tittafants .

Her work hints at Australian classics such as James Gleeson (see the use of nudes in a psychedelic / surreal landscape), Norman Lindsay (see the use of simple effective lines) and May Gibbs (see the love for the Australian bush and incorporation of strange wonderful creatures) – all filtered through BK’s unique artistic vision.

(Picture below of BK getting her art on)

With BK currently making major waves in the Sydney scene, now is the perfect time to get to know her by reading the Art Talk interview below…

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Art Talk – TJ Norris of ‘Go Figure News’

‘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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Art Talk – Gabriel + Rachel from ‘Soft Vinyl Sydney’

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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