Collecting Art Toys: Who's Who and What's What
This is our very own 'mini-Wiki' telling you all the important stuff about vinyl toys. Find out about the terms we use, the artists we like and the toys we sell by reading on. Click on the headings to find out more about the artist or product; click on the text links to flick through the references!
Contents
Artists
- Chris Lee
- Dalek
- David Horvath
- Devilrobots
- Eric So
- Frank Kozik
- Gary Baseman
- Huck Gee
- James Jarvis
- Jeff Soto
- Joe Ledbetter
- Jon Burgerman
- Junko Mizuno
- Michael Lau
- Nathan Jurevicius
- Pete Fowler
- Sket-One
- Sun-Min Kim
- Tim Biskup
- Tokidoki
- TOUMA
- Tristan Eaton
- Voltaire
Chris Lee
Creator of the 'Urbanites' series and a contributor to the 'Artists' series of Mad*Ls Chris Lee is an up-and-coming design force from Japan.
Dalek
Canadian-born Dalek once worked in the studio of Takashi Murakami and has a strong Japanese influence, both ultra-modern and completely traditional, on his work. Look out for his iconic Vanimal Zoo 'Space Monkeys' series and his 'Gosho Doll'.
David Horvath
Often partnered with Sun-Min Kim, David has a bright, cartoon feel to his designs. He's best known for the enormously successful 'UglyDolls' — although he's also the creator of 'Noupa' and children's character 'Bossy Bear'.
Devilrobots
Most famous for television character TO-FU, Devilrobots are a team of five Japanese designers. With many hugely successful art shows to date, they offer a little evil and robotic fun and the catchphrase 'Cute, but Toxic'!
Eric So
Action-figure collector Eric So openly confesses to having no formal artistic training. Instead, he has a deeply personal sense of style that makes his 3D designs the perfect fusion of toy, figure and celebrity
Frank Kozik
There are few artists more experienced or credible than Spanish-born Frank Kozik. With a colossal background in rock-album and poster art, his modern 3D work is characterised by his 'Labbit' and his 'Mongers' – and by a lot of smorkin'.
Gary Baseman
Emmy-winner Gary's work is pervasive, dark and iconic. Fusing childlike with adult and designer toy with fine art, it can be seen across top-end American press and on the best-selling game 'Cranium'. And here, of course!
Huck Gee
Another plotter of world domination is American Huck Gee. Drawing his inspiration from the world of Japanese and Hong Kong pop art, his work includes the 'Mama's Boy' Qee and the 'Hello Dunny Maiko'.
James Jarvis
The man behind 'Vortigern's Machine and the 'In-Crow', UK artist James Jarvis co-founded Amos Toys with Russell Waterman. Inspired by everything from Richard Scarry to Judge Dredd, James has showcased his 3D artwork worldwide.
Jeff Soto
Childhood toys, skateboarding and graffiti, hip-hop and popular culture all inspire American artist Jeff Soto. His work also shows a strong environmental theme – for example, in his 'Terrarium Keeper' Qees
Joe Ledbetter
Wide-eyed and light-hearted, Joe's work is both distinctive and highly sought-after. His combination of strong colours and shadows and heavy black lines are best seen in his 'Toxic Swamp' series and his 'Fire Cat'. Most of his pieces sell out days after they're released.
Jon Burgerman
Jon describes his own work as 'wonky, wibbly, odd, angry, happy, dumb, wrong'. Based in the UK, he creates fantastically complex, almost scribble-like art and is best known for his 'Hello Duudle' posters and book.
Junko Mizuno
Mixing a childish sweetness with suggested sex and blood-soaked horrors, Japanese artist Junko has been heavily influenced by Shojo manga. Take a look at her 'Hell Babies' creations and recent Qee designs.
Michael Lau
The father of designer toys, Michael Lau is a Hong Kong artist and perhaps the most collectible name of all. Best known for the 'Gardenergala' phenomenon, other works include his 'Crazy Children' figures.
Nathan Jurevicius
Australian artist Nathan is best known for his 'Scarygirl' comics, stationary and toys - but his collaboration with Hong Kong based toy company Flying Cat is purely a cover to conceal his plan for world domination.
Pete Fowler
Creator of 'Monsterism Island', the UK's Pete Fowler has worked with top-end bands and national television advertising. Inspired by Takashi Murakami and David Lebetard, he's developed his own post-modern cartoon style.
Sket-One
With a background in old-school urban graffiti, Connecticut-based Sket-One has moved from being a founder of the Bode Jam to working on 3D designs the largest studios. No collection is complete with out him.
Sun-Min Kim
Often partnered with David Horvath, Kim is best known for the enormously successful 'UglyDolls' series — although he's also the creator of chirpily sinister 'Spider Boom' plushes and toys.
Tim Biskup
With a background in animation, American artist Tim Biskup offers his unique 'baroque modernism' to art toys, prints and collectibles. Dark, detailed
Tokidoki
A Japanese-inspired lifestyle brand created by Italian artist Simone Legno and his partners. Recognised for 'Cactus Friends' in the art toy world, Tokidoki is also a high-profile fashion label that uses Qees.
TOUMA
Creator of the Knuckle Bear, breakout Japanese artist and character designer TOUMA is both prolific and inspired. His work carries a strong fantastic theme and a characteristic tattoo signature.
Tristan Eaton
President of Thunderdog Studios, New York toy designer, graffiti artist and illustrator Tristan lists among his inspirations Akira, Gustav Klimt and Transformers. Look out for his 'Skumbo' and 'Thundermutt' creations.
Voltaire
Inspired by the early work of Ray Harryhausen, musician Voltaire teaches stop-motion animation. From the underground New York Goth scene, he uses his modelling skills to bring us his cute, creepy creation, 'Deady Teddy'.
Manufacturers
Amos Toys (Store)
The UK based toy production company founded by and belonging to James Jarvis. Amos Toys create Jarvis' In-Crowd and Vortigern's Machine designs as well as produce single characters such as his Bearded Prophet.
FriendsWithYou (Store)
Founded by Miami-based artists Sam Borkson and Arturo Sandoval, FriendsWithYou promotes a message of 'Magic ● Luck ● Friendship' through creative expression. Look out for their wonderful and bizarre plushes!
KidRobot (Store)
Founded in 2002 by Paul Budnitz, KidRobot is a producer of designer toys, most notably the Dunny and Munny designs. Contributing artists include Gorillaz' Jamie Hewlett, Toy Machine's Ed Templeton and Linkin' Park's Mike Shinola.
MediCom Toy (Store)
Japanese Company MediCom Toy have created the Kubrick and Be@rbrick designs, both of which reflect the art toy crossover with celebrity culture. In 2007, MediCom also closed the gap between art toys and computer hardware with the release of the Be@brick as a USB flash drive.
Toy2R (Store)
Founded by Raymond Choy in 1995, Toy2R created the Qee, one of the most recognised art toy designs. Involved with top-name designers such as Gary Baseman and Frank Kozik, the company has created exclusive Qee figures for high-fashion retail brands.
WheatyWheat (Store)
Opening on January 1st 2001, Wheaty Wheat Studios handles design to manufacturing in a variety of mediums including pvc, plush, polystone and vinyl. Artists include Joe Ledbetter, Chris Lee and the author of 'Wicked Nursery Rhymes' Gris Grimley.
Terms and Types
- Be@rbricks
- Blind Boxed
- Blythe Dolls
- Chase Figures
- C I Boys
- Custom
- DIY
- Dunnys
- Evil Apes
- Hellcatz
- In-Crowd
- Knuckle Bears
- Kubricks
- Labbits
- Mad*Ls
- Mongers
- Munnys
- Mystery Figures
- Qees
- Super-Deformed
- Trexis
Be@rbricks (Store)
Named for its predecessor, MediCom Toy's Kubrick and for its 'bear' design, the Be@rbrick is a collectible art toy, available in a variety of sizes. Each one is an identical nine-part sculpt; smaller bears are available in blind boxed format, larger ones as individual artworks by noted designers.
Blind Boxed
This term is used to describe certain series of Qees, Dunnys, Be@rbricks and other small, collectible vinyl toys that are purchased individually but with the boxes still sealed. The frequency of the toys in the boxes varies and includes both 'chase' and 'mystery' figures, much like with cigarette cards in the 1970s and Collectible Card Games in the 1990s.
Blythe Dolls (Store)
First created in 1972, then rediscovered by Gina Garan in 1997, the pretty, wide-eyed Blythe has been photographed in the world's most exotic locations. She's inspired a huge fan subculture and is available in a host of outfits, two sizes, and as a Blythe Kubrick.
Chase Figures
In any blind boxed selection of collectible toys, a 'chase' figure is one that is much more rare than its fellows, inspiring collectors to chase it down and complete the set. A 1/400 ratio is expected, although it can vary from series to series.
C I Boys (Store)
Characterised by tightly closed facial expressions and squat bodies, C I Boys are available in a multitude of sets and styles — including crossovers with movie themes and other major names in toy design.
Custom
A unique design or toy, literally custom-built by the artist in question.
DIY
Some of the classic 3D art toy 'canvases' are available as blanks � including Qees, Dunnys and Munnys. These are often combined with a design competition, letting major studios seek out new talents and artists.
Dunnys (Store)
A parallel to the Qee designed by Tristan Eaton for KidRobot, the Dunny is a stylised rabbit available in 3" or 8" sizes. The smaller Dunny often comes blind boxed. There is also a stylised monkey design called a Munny.
Evil Apes (Store)
From MCA at Evil Design, the Evil Ape was the artist's own take on the Qee. Evil Apes are available in small blind boxed series and as individual, larger artworks.
Hellcatz
'Hotter than Hell'. Created by Devilrobots for the Sony Vanimal Zoo gashopon, the tiny, blind boxed Hellcatz are characterised by their accompanying pitchforks, a lot of cattitude and a tiny mouse companion.
In-Crowd (Store)
Created by James Jarvis and Amos Toys, the In-Crowd series include wrestlers, bikers, punks, zombies and cops. Each character has a name and a history and features Jarvis' classic stylised oval body, tall head and close-set eyes. Figures are available individually or in boxed sets.
Knuckle Bears (Store)
TOUMA's own variation of the basic Qee design, the Knuckle Bear resembles a caricature of an upright bear with an oversized head and front paws. Each one has the edgy, snarled expression indicative of TOUMA's design.
Kubricks (Store)
Named after Stanley, MediCom Toy's Kubrick is a simplified manlike shape available in three sizes. First designed to appear like stylised characters from Neon Genesis Evangelion, they have continued to represent well-known film and television characters
Labbits (Store)
Frank Kozik's modern trademark, the Labbit is a round, short-legged rabbit available in a variety of sizes from 2" to 10" in length. Labbits can come in blind boxed series, in sets, or as individuals; they can also come in flocked finish and in a variety of outrageous designs.
Mad*Ls (Store)
First created by LA designer MAD, the Mad*L is one of greatest artistic challenges due to its incredibly clean-lined and simple sculpt. Available in one 5" size only, later series have been decorated by different artists.
Mongers (Store)
Frank Kozik's smorkin' accessories range from slugs to grenades to watermelons and come in blind boxed series format, single larger items and a t-shirt range.
Munnys (Store)
The stylised monkey adaptation of KidRobot's Dunny, the Munny can come as a blank DIY figure or as a smaller figure in blind boxed series format. Some of the larger, special edition Munnys come with a variety of accessories.
Mystery Figure
In any blind boxed series, the rare and unknown figure that remains unillustrated on any of the covering literature.
Qees (Store)
Toy2R's original 3D canvas. Standard Qees are 2" high and each comes with a keychain; they're available as individual figures or blind boxed as part of a series. The original 'bear' design has evolved into new variations, usually with the same body type but with different head sculpts: a cat, a dog, a monkey, a rabbit or a 'toyer' — a cartoon skull. Each of these designs is available as a 'baby' version with a seated posture and a softer, rounder 'super-deformed' body. Also available is the Egg Qee. Qees of all kinds are made in a series of other sizes right up to two feet in height. More recently the basic Qee canvases have also moved into illustrating characters from modern popular culture — for example Hellboy.
Super-Deformed
The technical term used to describe a soft-look, rounded bodyform with a stylised, oversized head.
Trexis (Store)
The Trexi is a designer figure measuring 3" in height and characterised by a large head with a rotating top. Trexis can be purchased individually or as part of a blind boxed series; they are also available as individually packaged 10" works or as 1 ½" mobile phone charms.
Worlds of Toys
- Cactus Friends
- Crazy Children
- Gloomy Bear
- Monsterisms
- Scarygirl
- Tales from Greenfuzz
- UglyDolls
- Unkl Brand
- Vanimal Zoo
- Vortigern's Machine
Cactus Friends (Store)
Fashion brand Tokidoki's first art toys: a sweet-but-spiky foursome available in both vinyl and plush form.
Crazy Children
Originally produced as a 6" tall, individually boxed series, Michael Lau's Crazy Children pioneered the concept of collecting all the figures in a set to assemble pieces for a single, larger figure. Now available in a variety of sizes and designs, Crazy Children come in stylised human, bear and pig forms and have an urban, hip-hop finish.
Gloomy Bear (Store)
Artist Mori Chack invented Gloomy Bear as a direct response to the 'cuteness' of Sanrio's Hello Kitty and similar creations. A violent, human-eating creature with bloodied claws, Gloomy comes mostly in plush form, but in a variety of colourways and subtly different designs.
Monsterisms (Store)
The world created by UK designer Pete Fowler, Monsterism Island is home to the Monsterisms characters he designs. Inhabitants of the Island include small blind boxed creatures, each version an individual sculpt but the pieces removable and interchangeable. There are also larger, named-character figures that come in a variety of sizes.
Scarygirl (Store)
Nathan Jurevicius' collaboration with Hong Kong company Flying Cat, Scarygirl incorporates a selection of characters and themes, repeated in various toy forms.
Tales from Greenfuzz (Store)
Illustrator Will Sweeney's comic book that has inspired a sequence of releases from Amos Toys. Each release has been an individually boxed character from the story.
UglyDolls (Store)
Endearingly simple, these individually named characters are available in both plush and vinyl form. From David Horvath and Sun-Min Kim, they have also inspired their own pet line, the UglyDogs.
Unkl Brand (Store)
Founded in 2000 by Derek Welch and Jason Bacon, Unkl tries to find ways of combining opposite points of view to generate new and interesting concepts that make us look at the world, ourselves or any other aspect of life with fresh eyes.
Vanimal Zoo
A project of Sony Creative Products in Japan, Vanimal Zoo worked with several noted artists and illustrators to turn their drawings and paintings into collectable figures, along them.
Vortigern's Machine (Store)
James Jarvis' graphic novel that has inspired a sequence of releases from Amos Toys. Each release has been an individually boxed character, or pair of characters, from the story and variations in colourway have been available. Characters from 'Vortigern's Machine' all feature the classic James Jarvis shape and design also seen in his 'In-Crowd' figures.
