TOYSREVIL @ KEY-OLOGY Solo Show by GAGATREE (Oct 16 at ART NOW)
KEY OF LIFE: "Unlock the imagination with design collective GagaTree’s latest series of artworks and sculptures that draw inspiration from their popular OBOT toy figurines that merges elements of the past with a keen eye towards the future."
GAGATREE's solo show opened October 16th at ART NOW, and I'd managed to un-hermit myself and joined in the greater civilisation of Singapore for the opening on a Saturday afternoon, and had posted snaps to share on my socials: Instagram (with dedicated IG-hashtag) and Facebook (dedicated album).
Featured here are images and slideshows of what I had snapped, along with embeds from various other folks, and as well with words from the artists themselves! GAGATREE is Lester, Yang, Hansen & Michelle.
THEMED: 'Based on the concept of “Key-ology” as a sort of opening up and rebirth of a new idea based on an existing one, these latest manifestations further push the boundaries their original creations to new heights and previously uncharted dimensions. Immerse Into Gagatree’s Quirky Design Collective Eye-Popping Art Toys, Paintings and Sculptures!".'
The exhibition consists of wall-hung canvas paintings and installations (OBOT+Paintings), and as well limited run cut-outs, made especially for the solo show. On display are also production OBOTS - in regular sizes and the new OBOT Mini Blind Box figures, including a sneaky-peek at the SECOND Series of OBOT Minis!
Brand new large-sized art-sculpts include "Dino Walkers", and a very intriguing "SkullBoxx" that was on display, but Not For Sale. The exhibition is capped by a installation of OBOT in assembled cardboard.
Scroll thru to the bottom of this post for further show information, meanwhile - MORE PICTURES + VIDEO!
'What do you do if you have the soul of an artist, the heart of a child and the mind of an entrepreneur? You create gagatree, a design-driven boutique that specializes in toys, gifts, objets d’art and OBOTs. At least that’s what Lester did!' (Instagram @lesdoublwewood)
TOYSREVIL: Who is LESTER LIM?
LESTER LIM: I am the Founder of Gagatree and also one of the Artist.
TOYSREVIL: What does the KEY mean to you?
LESTER LIM: To Me, my key is Timing. Key to open Door(s) and Opportunity.
'She loves vintage toys and has a special place in her heart for nostalgia. So of course this 3D artist co-founded gagatree! Among her creations are the exquisite Winter Garden paper sculptures, sold in the Big Apple’s Museum of Modern Art.' (Instagram @yangterday)
TOYSREVIL: Who is YANG?
YANG: I am a Co-founder together with Lester, (and) also an Artist in gagatree. My style very much in Mixed media and I love to sculpt a lot.
TOYSREVIL: What does the KEY mean to you?
YANG: Is a Key to start my Toy Movement.
'As saying goes, "There’s no bot like an OBOT." And there’s no artist quite like Hansen. He’s into cartoons, comics, painting, doodling, graffiti, woodcraft, and investigating the mysteries of life – essential qualifications at gagatree.' (Instagram @madmachineqs)
TOYSREVIL: Who is Hansen Chan?
HANSEN CHAN: Hi I'm Hansen Chan, toy artist, graphic designer and illustrator, currently working on toy design with gagatree. Like many artists and designers, I am into art, illustration, design since early years.
TOYSREVIL: What does the KEY mean to you?
HANSEN CHAN: The key brings new hope and excitement in life to collectors and the OBOT.
Folks at the show are treated to a "sneak peek" at the upcoming second series of OBOT Blind Box mini figure, who've since exchanged "cheeky tongues" of Series 1 with "bombs"!
And while the "name" of this series is as yet confirmed/decided (Series 1 was "Guilty Pleasures"), Series 2 has a subtle "hypebeast/streetwear" brand-name theme...! Updates when I have them, of course...!
TOYSREVIL: What was your genesis of the design and creation of your SKULLBOXX?
HANSEN CHAN: When I was asked design a new sculpture of the existing OBOT, immediately after some thoughts and sketches i wanted a multiple characters on layers of opening boxes of the OBOT head. That is how the concept of the musical box came into being with the mysterious skull as the central master to its character, enjoy being alone controlling the OBOT which is also protecting himself from outsiders.
TOYSREVIL: What are the plans for the sculpt? What can folks look forward to?
HANSEN CHAN: Can expect simple and quirky design coming up. The SkullBoxx can be open for collaboration with various artist around the world in the future.
TOYSREVIL: Who is MICH LOW?
'What do OBOTs and dogs have in common? Michelle loves them both. She loves a lot of other things, too. Like illustration, typography, interior design, and finding the sweet spot between minimalism and functionality. Perfect for gagatree.' (Instagram @mlowperslala)
TOYSREVIL: What does the KEY mean to you?
MICH LOW: The "Key" is a small metal attached on the obot. The "key" is a very important instrument as it access to start & functioning things, and Ology mean interest/branch of knowledge. We're using the KEY combining with OLOGY to form Key-ology. You need a very basic 'key' function to start up, venture and expand into a wide range of achievement/adventure etc.. People attending the Key-ology exhibition willy get to know where obot come from.
Besides the production OBOTS (Made with ZCWO), there were two other larger-sized makes on display, one being the "SkullBoxx", and the 3 X one-off hand-painted "Dino Walker(s)" made of resin (sized 39.5cm tall X 30cm wide x 40cm long), which I'd felt was wonderously HUGE, compared to said-production OBOTS, but also to differentiate them from each other ("TOY" vs "TOY ART SCULPTURE"), even though they might be somewhat themed in a similar wind-up genre. Yes, the "key" iconology is the main themed for this show.
TOYSREVIL: What was the genesis for DINO WALKER? Borne of your childhood collectibles? Why that size? Is it made of resin?
LESTER LIM: The idea come from my Childhood, always seeing Robots fight with Monsters, so this idea came to my mind; "Why not do a Robot Dinosaur monster to pair with the OBOT"? It gives a different perspective for viewer who expect to only see the OBOT sculpture. It also opens a new path for the OBOT Range in the future.
Featured at the "end" of the long gallery space (but closest to the windowed-door from the outside corridor), is the installation display for cardboard "OBOTS" - which personally for me brought back memories of when I first featured "Robocard" in 2007, marvelling at the concept of a "tin-toy" retro-robot assembled from foldable printed card...! The history of OBOTS and GAGATREE is deeper than folks realize., IMHO.
TOYSREVIL: How did OBOT start? What was the genesis of OBOT?
LESTER LIM: Back in 2003, we did a series of paper robot named "ROBOCARD," and 17 years later we had wanted to do a art toys and very naturally we used the ROBOT Idea and evolved into OBOT. TIN HEAD ROBOT Present the Past but it also Represent the future back then when I was young holding one of those TIN TOY Robot.
It was mentioned that the cardboard OBOTS might be given away, or thrown away (*GASP*) at the end of the show, and I'd thought they'd make perfect canvases for folks to customise / custom-paint on, be it for a physical show or online exhibition, IMHO. Count me in on the deed, if you folks deem me worthy!
Launched October 16, 2016, the "Key-ology" exhibition is meant to last 2 months, but there is a possibility of it ending earlier if all the works are sold, so a good option is to check out the show soon, and as well stay connected to the gallery's socials for updates and announcements! As well purchases and availability of the item(s) can be contacted directly via ART NOW, cheers.
Facebook @artnowsingapore
Instagram @artnowsg
Thank you for the invite, and CONGRATULATIONS all around everyone for the show!
STAY CONNECTED TO GAGATREE:
www.gagatree.com
instagram.com/gagatree_sg
facebook.com/gagatree
twitter.com/gagatree_sg
GAGATREE Features on TOYSREVIL
GAGATREE's solo show opened October 16th at ART NOW, and I'd managed to un-hermit myself and joined in the greater civilisation of Singapore for the opening on a Saturday afternoon, and had posted snaps to share on my socials: Instagram (with dedicated IG-hashtag) and Facebook (dedicated album).
Featured here are images and slideshows of what I had snapped, along with embeds from various other folks, and as well with words from the artists themselves! GAGATREE is Lester, Yang, Hansen & Michelle.
Seen at ART NOW (Day 1) Opening of #Keyology show by @gagatree_sg#GAGATREE is Lester, Yang, Hansen & Michelle.
— toysrevil (@toysrevil) October 17, 2021
Event featured #onTOYSREVIL: https://t.co/nGcNbno7gA
More Opening Pics on #TOYSREVIL #Instagram: https://t.co/y6wJYlYYUd#toysblog #toysrevilblog pic.twitter.com/LCjtR4fkgl
Seen at ART NOW (Day 1) Opening of #Keyology show by @gagatree_sg#GAGATREE is Lester, Yang, Hansen & Michelle.
— toysrevil (@toysrevil) October 17, 2021
Event featured #onTOYSREVIL: https://t.co/nGcNbno7gA
More Opening Pics on #TOYSREVIL #Instagram: https://t.co/y6wJYlYYUd#toysblog #toysrevilblog pic.twitter.com/Azb2z2y0o8
THEMED: 'Based on the concept of “Key-ology” as a sort of opening up and rebirth of a new idea based on an existing one, these latest manifestations further push the boundaries their original creations to new heights and previously uncharted dimensions. Immerse Into Gagatree’s Quirky Design Collective Eye-Popping Art Toys, Paintings and Sculptures!".'
The exhibition consists of wall-hung canvas paintings and installations (OBOT+Paintings), and as well limited run cut-outs, made especially for the solo show. On display are also production OBOTS - in regular sizes and the new OBOT Mini Blind Box figures, including a sneaky-peek at the SECOND Series of OBOT Minis!
Brand new large-sized art-sculpts include "Dino Walkers", and a very intriguing "SkullBoxx" that was on display, but Not For Sale. The exhibition is capped by a installation of OBOT in assembled cardboard.
Scroll thru to the bottom of this post for further show information, meanwhile - MORE PICTURES + VIDEO!
'What do you do if you have the soul of an artist, the heart of a child and the mind of an entrepreneur? You create gagatree, a design-driven boutique that specializes in toys, gifts, objets d’art and OBOTs. At least that’s what Lester did!' (Instagram @lesdoublwewood)
TOYSREVIL: Who is LESTER LIM?
LESTER LIM: I am the Founder of Gagatree and also one of the Artist.
TOYSREVIL: What does the KEY mean to you?
LESTER LIM: To Me, my key is Timing. Key to open Door(s) and Opportunity.
'She loves vintage toys and has a special place in her heart for nostalgia. So of course this 3D artist co-founded gagatree! Among her creations are the exquisite Winter Garden paper sculptures, sold in the Big Apple’s Museum of Modern Art.' (Instagram @yangterday)
TOYSREVIL: Who is YANG?
YANG: I am a Co-founder together with Lester, (and) also an Artist in gagatree. My style very much in Mixed media and I love to sculpt a lot.
TOYSREVIL: What does the KEY mean to you?
YANG: Is a Key to start my Toy Movement.
'As saying goes, "There’s no bot like an OBOT." And there’s no artist quite like Hansen. He’s into cartoons, comics, painting, doodling, graffiti, woodcraft, and investigating the mysteries of life – essential qualifications at gagatree.' (Instagram @madmachineqs)
TOYSREVIL: Who is Hansen Chan?
HANSEN CHAN: Hi I'm Hansen Chan, toy artist, graphic designer and illustrator, currently working on toy design with gagatree. Like many artists and designers, I am into art, illustration, design since early years.
TOYSREVIL: What does the KEY mean to you?
HANSEN CHAN: The key brings new hope and excitement in life to collectors and the OBOT.
Folks at the show are treated to a "sneak peek" at the upcoming second series of OBOT Blind Box mini figure, who've since exchanged "cheeky tongues" of Series 1 with "bombs"!
And while the "name" of this series is as yet confirmed/decided (Series 1 was "Guilty Pleasures"), Series 2 has a subtle "hypebeast/streetwear" brand-name theme...! Updates when I have them, of course...!
TOYSREVIL: What was your genesis of the design and creation of your SKULLBOXX?
HANSEN CHAN: When I was asked design a new sculpture of the existing OBOT, immediately after some thoughts and sketches i wanted a multiple characters on layers of opening boxes of the OBOT head. That is how the concept of the musical box came into being with the mysterious skull as the central master to its character, enjoy being alone controlling the OBOT which is also protecting himself from outsiders.
TOYSREVIL: What are the plans for the sculpt? What can folks look forward to?
HANSEN CHAN: Can expect simple and quirky design coming up. The SkullBoxx can be open for collaboration with various artist around the world in the future.
TOYSREVIL: Who is MICH LOW?
'What do OBOTs and dogs have in common? Michelle loves them both. She loves a lot of other things, too. Like illustration, typography, interior design, and finding the sweet spot between minimalism and functionality. Perfect for gagatree.' (Instagram @mlowperslala)
TOYSREVIL: What does the KEY mean to you?
MICH LOW: The "Key" is a small metal attached on the obot. The "key" is a very important instrument as it access to start & functioning things, and Ology mean interest/branch of knowledge. We're using the KEY combining with OLOGY to form Key-ology. You need a very basic 'key' function to start up, venture and expand into a wide range of achievement/adventure etc.. People attending the Key-ology exhibition willy get to know where obot come from.
Besides the production OBOTS (Made with ZCWO), there were two other larger-sized makes on display, one being the "SkullBoxx", and the 3 X one-off hand-painted "Dino Walker(s)" made of resin (sized 39.5cm tall X 30cm wide x 40cm long), which I'd felt was wonderously HUGE, compared to said-production OBOTS, but also to differentiate them from each other ("TOY" vs "TOY ART SCULPTURE"), even though they might be somewhat themed in a similar wind-up genre. Yes, the "key" iconology is the main themed for this show.
TOYSREVIL: What was the genesis for DINO WALKER? Borne of your childhood collectibles? Why that size? Is it made of resin?
LESTER LIM: The idea come from my Childhood, always seeing Robots fight with Monsters, so this idea came to my mind; "Why not do a Robot Dinosaur monster to pair with the OBOT"? It gives a different perspective for viewer who expect to only see the OBOT sculpture. It also opens a new path for the OBOT Range in the future.
Featured at the "end" of the long gallery space (but closest to the windowed-door from the outside corridor), is the installation display for cardboard "OBOTS" - which personally for me brought back memories of when I first featured "Robocard" in 2007, marvelling at the concept of a "tin-toy" retro-robot assembled from foldable printed card...! The history of OBOTS and GAGATREE is deeper than folks realize., IMHO.
TOYSREVIL: How did OBOT start? What was the genesis of OBOT?
LESTER LIM: Back in 2003, we did a series of paper robot named "ROBOCARD," and 17 years later we had wanted to do a art toys and very naturally we used the ROBOT Idea and evolved into OBOT. TIN HEAD ROBOT Present the Past but it also Represent the future back then when I was young holding one of those TIN TOY Robot.
It was mentioned that the cardboard OBOTS might be given away, or thrown away (*GASP*) at the end of the show, and I'd thought they'd make perfect canvases for folks to customise / custom-paint on, be it for a physical show or online exhibition, IMHO. Count me in on the deed, if you folks deem me worthy!
Launched October 16, 2016, the "Key-ology" exhibition is meant to last 2 months, but there is a possibility of it ending earlier if all the works are sold, so a good option is to check out the show soon, and as well stay connected to the gallery's socials for updates and announcements! As well purchases and availability of the item(s) can be contacted directly via ART NOW, cheers.
Instagram @artnowsg
Thank you for the invite, and CONGRATULATIONS all around everyone for the show!
www.gagatree.com
instagram.com/gagatree_sg
facebook.com/gagatree
twitter.com/gagatree_sg
GAGATREE Features on TOYSREVIL
