What's Happening In The Art & Toy World (Feb/4/2011)

Giant Robot presents Real Japanese Kawaii Artwork by Japanese Collective Shibuya Girls Pop, launching February 5th (exhibiting thru March 2nd, 2011), and will even feature free kawaii makeup tutorials by Sugarpill Cosmetics (as seen in Japanese brand 6%DOKIDOKI's 2010 fashion show).

"Shibuya Girls Pop" is a new Tokyo-based artist collective featuring 12 female artists: Nana Aoyama, Eimi, Sayaka Iwashimizu, Marrontic, Hiroshi Mori, NICO, Keiko Ogawa, Ra'yka, Shinjuko, Yuki Takahashi, Kayo Tamaishi, and TAMMY. Some preview artwork is posted here for your eye-candy pleasures.



EVENT-TEXT: "Real Japanese Kawaii" will be the collective's first American exhibition together. Kawaii is loosely translated as "cute" in English, but it actually means much more. To the Shibuya Girls Pop artists, kawaii is like holding onto a piece of happiness in a world with uncertain future and, in Japan, the concept is fast becoming a revolution. The mix of new names and established artists in the Tokyo scene (such as Nana Aoyama, a.k.a. Marie, whose art has been featured on Anna Sui's fashion runway, and Shinjuko, who is famous for her Harajuku Lovers illustrations) will provide a deeper look into the meaning of kawaii through their hyper cool, pop-saturated new paintings."


"Broken Hearts and Party Hats" will see the works of Gunnar and Jeffrey Richter on-display at Rivet Gallery - from Feb 5 - Feb 28. Consisting of oil paintings and charcoal drawings, artist Gunnar will be present at the opening reception (from 7 to 10pm). Check out more details on RivetArt.com. "Party hats will be on hand and broken hearts are optional."




Indonesia artist / sculptor Arno Fauzie of House Of Icons will be holding a live workshop on March 12th-13th at "The Jakarta 7th Toys and Comics Fair". Check out the flyer-details by clicking on the image and check out his customwork below! I had a chance to meet Arno at MWFI last year and was blown away by his sculpt-work, so this seems like a treat for fans in Jakarta, IMHO.



Custom Toy Union and Toy2R Present: PROJECT BEAR - an online art show debuting the new 5" Bear Qee DIY platform and will feature hand painted customs from the following Custom Toy Union artists: Ardabusrubber,B.A.L.D, FAS, Fuller, Gomi, Hugh Rose, HX, Irulan, Nico Deacosta & Rocketboy.

Each artist will be making *four mini Qee Bear customs each, with a planned release on Febuary 7th 2011 at 10AM PST - via http://customtoyunion.bigcartel.com. Also check out this link for when the custom-pics will be added from the 7th.


We've very briefly mentioned the upcoming show at Giant Robot, now comes the poster image for the signing event with David Horvath and Sun Min-Kim on Feb 20th (2-4pm) - happening at GR2. Get your Uglydolls-ceramics signed.



To celebrate its 10 year anniversary, Tokyo-based Figure Label ILANENA is having a special Exhibition in Nakano at the alternative cafe. "ILANENA 10th Anniversary Dai Kaiju Card Monsters Custom Toy Show" will see every release-to-date of ILANENA's iconic Dai Kaiju Card Monsters on display - encompassing a mind-boggling 73 unique sets. Additionally there will be a Custom Show featuring Daiju Kaiju Card Monster sets by 23 select Western Artists. As an added bonus, a special collaboration between alternative comic virtuoso Jim Woodring and Ilanena will be unveiled.

Customs will be available for sale at the venue during the event and afterwards online through Fig-x.jp and Fig-lab.com. (Headsup via). Click Thru for Participating Artists list.


February 8th - 20th, 2011
alternative cafe, Nakano, Tokyo
party February 11th 18:00～21:00
Aaron Blstr / Sqdblstr
http://www.sqdblstr.com/

Brian Bunting / GalaxyPeople
http://galaxypeople.wordpress.com/

Brian Flynn / SUPER7
http://super7store.com/

Cliff Kirschner / MONSTREHERO
http://www.monstrehero.com/

Daniel Goffin
http://www.danielgoffin.com/

Datadub / FIG-LAB
http://fig-lab.com/

Dennis Hamann / Shirahama
http://shirahamablog.blogspot.com/

FU Irene / Kaiju korner
http://kaijukorner.blogspot.com/

Ilanena Hoshina / ILANENA
http://www.ilanena.com/

Jesse Moore / Rawshark Studios
http://callgrim.com/

Jim Woodring
http://www.jimwoodring.com/

Kirkland Jue / Toybot studios
http://toybotstudios.blogspot.com/

Koji Harmon / Cometdebris
http://www.cometdebris.com/

L'amour Supreme
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lamoursupreme_fixedfiend/

LASH / Mutant Vinyl Hardcore
http://mutantvinylhardcore.blogspot.com/

Luke Rook / Lulubell Toys
http://www.lulubelltoys.com/

Mark Nagata / MAX TOY
http://www.maxtoyco.com/

Matt Doughty / Onell Design
http://www.onelldesign.com/

Paul Kaiju
http://paulkaiju.com/

Ralph Niese / Bruno Orbit
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bruno-five-oh

Randy Borden / Kaiju Big Battel
http://www.kaiju.com/

Ricky Wilson / VELOCITRON
http://www.velocitron.org/

SUCKADELIC
http://suckadelic.com/

Sean Blay / MONSTREHERO
http://www.monstrehero.com.