darkmatters Debuts With NGA4 by Paddy Leung
PRESS: In an effort to promote Canadian art and artists, Toronto-based darkmatters debuts on the designer toy scene with their upcoming figure release by local artist Paddy Leung: NGA4 (Cantonese pinyin pronunciation for the word tooth).The 2.75” figure will be available for CAD$40 plus shipping beginning October 31st @ 12:00am (EST) from their website, www.darkmattersonline.ca. Each figure is carefully hand casted, hand painted and features a laser cut number denoting its place among the limited 30 available.
CLICK THRU for more images, as well as more about the artist :)
DARKMATTERS: It appears the subject of teeth is very important to you. Can you explain to us the reason why you chose teeth, and what exactly they symbolize?
PADDY LEUNG: In relation the teeth, and the idea of collecting are both symbols of coming of age, and maturity or adulthood.
The idea of collecting had always been very intriguing to me, when I was younger I collected things in hopes to use them as materials to make art. It was the easiest way to provide for myself without buying anything. I was very drawn to the concept of reusing things as material. Now that I’ve gotten older, I have reversed the role of collection in the sense that I am creating toys to be collected.
PADDY LEUNG: With that in mind, I thought about the first item almost everyone first collected. Instantly I traced back to collecting teeth for the Tooth Fairy. Teeth symbolize the different stages of life very obviously. When you’re young you have your baby teeth taken out, then half way through your youth your wisdom teeth, and when you become a senior you lose all your teeth.
[Note: The above is an extract of an interview with artist/creator Paddy Leung ~ and can be read in full via Darkmattersonline.ca]
[4 x images of NGA4 at the dentists / CLICK for full-screen viewing]
About darkmatters:
Joining things together has been the driving force behind darkmatters since its inception in 2009. darkmatters is a Toronto-based art toy collective originally founded by six good friends during a summer barbeque. Our mission is to place Toronto on the map of the designer toy industry. Toy with art, art with business, darkmatters collaborates alongside featured upcoming local artists, transforming their artwork into a collectible vinyl toy.
The concept of the ‘art toy’ is novel; artwork is made affordable and collectible without losing the artists’ authenticity and influence. The viewing audience expands beyond the limited art community to include the everyday art enthusiast. Art and business is conjoined in the same way. We hope to provide local artists with new opportunities while we showcase Canadian art and design to a global audience.
http://www.darkmattersonline.ca
