“Fake” is all the rage right now – what with Mr Trump and his ‘fake news’, Damien Hirst and his recent art show comprising of ‘fake’ artifacts from a made up lost civilisation, the rise of unpaid internship aka ‘fake’ jobs and now, added to this list is Mr Tyson Tabbert and his brilliantly curated travelling John Waters tribute art exhibition full of ‘fake’ pieces of pop culture trash.

We at ‘Art Whore’ were exposed to the ‘Lost Merchandise of the Dreamlanders’ John Waters tribute group show and immediately blown away! Here was a show devoted to one of our favourite directors – Mr. John Waters – and featuring a whole slew of amazing pop art pieces. From toys, to bed sheets, Halloween costumes, ash trays and more. The show itself featuring thirteen artists working both collaboratively and independently, all under the loving eye of curator Tyson Tabbert.

(Photo below of artist and show curator Tyson Tabbert)

Coming to the end of the exhibit’s first showing at ‘LaMaMa’ in New York City (May 25th to June 24th), and just about to travel to Lethal Amounts in Los Angeles (July 8th to July 28th) – we thought it would be good to have the exhibit’s curator Tyson Tabbert explain it all, so we asked him a few questions. From who the other artists involves are, how they all came to connect, if there had been any legal issues, potential John Waters sex toys and much more.

Read it all below…

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Rafael Pantoja aka ‘Frank Mysterio Jr’ is a Mexican artist with a global following thanks to his magnificent art and designer toys. Whilst Frank can work in any style known to man he is best known for his Pre Hispanic (Aztec, Mayan etc) inspired lines and psychedelic use of colour.

With his art toy work, Frank has followed the standard path, starting with customs on other artist’s toys, and then working his way up to his own creations. Initially all made in Japan. Recently Frank has turned innovator and begun producing art toys DIY style in his home country of Mexico – such as the Primitivo figure above.

(A photo of Rafael below)

With Frank a pioneer in the world of designer toys, and continuing to spread his art all over the world, now is the perfect time to get to know the man, by reading the Art Talk interview, below…

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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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