TOYSREVIL @ Jessica Emmett's "Show Your Eemo" Solo Show (Opens March 12 at BLAXK Space)
I had attended the Media Preview (on Thursday March 10th) for Jessica Emmett's solo exhibition "SHOW YOUR EEMO" at BLAXK Gallery in Funan, in advance of its scheduled Grand Opening to the public on Saturday March 12th.
These are the socials you can currently check out / stay connected to for features and updates:
instagram.com/jessica_emmett
facebook.com/JessicaEmmettArtist
tiktok.com/@jessica_emmett
GALLERY'S ACTIVE SOCIALS
instagram.com/theblaxkspace
facebook.com/theblaxkspace
Show Your Eemo
BLAXK x Jessica Emmett
Opens 12 Mar 2022
BLAXK by ActionCity
Funan, #01-03
Featured here are initial video and snaps, and a dedicated focus on Jessica's art, and will delve further into the Eemo Customs Showcase in subsequent serial blog-features, cheers.
Jessica was on hand to bring us through gallery displays, which showcased her own art and original collectible toy creations, as well shared the unique one-off custom EEMO CLOUDS from 19 invited artists.
One unique aspect of her show, is Jessica sharing with attendees how she make her own resin figures, via two large screens in the gallery. And while folks have regularly see her sharing her craft on her Instagram @jessica_emmett, the public will have a chance to watch moving visuals! Unfortunately there is no narration / audio or subtitles to be had. You can as well check out her YouTube channel for her regular "how-tos"...!
"Show Your Eemo" is split into two areas of the gallery. Upon entering, to the left would be all Jessica's, while on display to the right are the exclusive Eemo Cloud resin figures, and the Custom Eemo Cloud Showcase. Let's take a right, and have peek at what customs await attendees, shall we?
First, some further information about the CUSTOMS:
These one-of-a-kind custom pieces will be available for sale through a blind bid system via an online form. Interested collectors can submit their interest online from Monday, 28 March 2022, and successful bids will be announced on Sunday, 3 April 2022. More details will be announced on BLAXK’s and Jessica Emmett’s social media pages.
Beyond the video above, I will delve into closer looks in the days to come, cheers.
A number of invited artists have since posted work-in-progress and turnaround looks at their pieces (some of whom I've featured on TOYSREVIL too), and no doubt more to come - do feel free to click thru their IG-accounts tagged in IG-image below, cheers.
I know you shopperholics and most importantly supporters of Jessica's art will ask: "WHAT CAN I BUY NOW?"
40 X hand-painted Eemo Cloud figures – available in 3-inch tall (SG$99n per) and 6-inch tall (SG$179 per) versions - will only be available for sale as event-exclusives at the gallery. Do hit up @theblaxkspace and @jessica_emmett for availability of these pieces ~ Tell'em 'TOYSREVIL SENT YOU'! :)
Do know that part of the proceeds from the sales of the event-exclusive Eemo Cloud figures and one-of-a-kinds will go towards the Singapore Association for Mental Health (SAMH), in support of their commitment towards helping those who struggle with their mental health issues (Read more below).
Designed by Jessica Emmett, the resin figure is specially produced by BLAXK in commemoration of this exhibition. There will be a Open Edition version released in the future, in a different colorway... and yes, apparently there is a sneak peek out there already (*cough*)... :)
Featured below is a video of Jessica's display seen on left of the gallery space (both this and the above were first broadcast on IG-LIVE (unannounced), and subsequently shared on the TOYSREVIL IG-TV Page, cheers.
We get to see a splendid line-up of Jessica's creations - her toy-discography, if you will - featuring character figures recasted and repainted specifically for this show! They include key archival pieces like Texture Monster (2016), Texture Monster – Flora (2017), Unicorn (2017), Texture Monster Minis (2018), Merlion (2018), Manticore (2018), Lleafi (2019), Draffi (2019), Dip Dipz – Simply Toys (2019), Kattessy (2020), Trisheepi (2020), Monosheepi (2020), Knotanxi (2020) and Oxenlox (2021).
Also shown alongside are her 2D artwork. An illustrator by trade, turned collectible toy-designer, Jessica's "Show Your Eemo" will also see the launch of three latest art toy creations by Jessica: "Spider Bear (2022)" (whom you might recognise from her Instagram WIP-postings - I know I did ~ YAY), "Texture Monster – Break" (2022) and a closely kept surprise ("no more") - "Centaur" to be made vinyl figure by Merry Go Round (2022)! Here's a closer look:
TEXTURE MONSTER - BREAK (2022):
As Jessica shared, the "Texture Monster" is actually made up of elements found within BLAXK Gallery Space - which she had presented both a 2D painting of, and a 3D-printed sculpture for! Are you able to identify the various pieces and their origins/locations?
"SPIDERBEAR" is based on one of her illustration Jessica did did (seen above / that was apart of the 2020 Pameran Poskad postcard exhibition). The piece was orginally called "Dangerously Cute - Claws"... "who loves hugs but will defend itself if provoked" (Source) - now manifested as a 1/1 3D-print for her gallery show...!
And the third 3D-sculpt showcased and revealed for the first time ever - both in-person and online - is her upcoming collectible toy with Merry Go Round! Introducing the "CENTAURVERT" - with this female centaur (half human half horse) being an "introvert"! There is absolutely nothing "wrong" with being an introvert, and she celebrates that character with fluff-billowy cloud-hair, that is one of her signatiure aesthetic styles!
The figure is seen here unpainted, and you might want to stay connected to Jessica's socials for further color updates!
Beyond the aesthetics and character design, Jessica's art is also heavily informed and influenced by her personal life and happenings, including one key aspect of her solo show: Her personal experience with mental health.
Her art manifests and copes with her depression, and adorable fluffy character creations are borne from such emotions, taking on a sunny guise, but with far deeper meaning. But these are not "secrets", as Jessica herself has been very vocal and forward about their trails and emotions, laid bare on her Instagram, along with her sharing her "how-to" progress of creating her figure collectibles, and her art.
Jessica has chosen to share something that is exceedingly personal to her, and is something we in the Art Toy Realms have been aware of, and now with her solo show to the public, is not something we (the public) should take for granted, IMHO. I am so proud of you, seeing you doing so well at your solo show today, Jessica!
And while "mental health" is the driving theme behind this exhibition, it is not a chain that shackles her creativity! In sharing and manifesting them, they create a aura of "hope" for anyone who witnesses them, IMHO.
In line with that, "Show Your Eemo" is proud to support Singapore Association for Mental Health (SAMH) as the key non-profit beneficiary. As mentioned earlier; "Part of the proceeds from the sales of the event-exclusive Eemo Cloud figures and one-of-a-kinds will go towards the organisation, in support of their commitment towards helping those who struggle with their mental health issues."
Beyond proceeds from sales, Jessica will be hosting workshops for SAMH’s Creative MINDSET Hub, which uses art, writing, music and dance as a form of therapy for participants to explore and express their feelings. During these workshops at BLAXK, participants will be able to learn the creative process of art toy design and customise their own Eemo Cloud figure.
I for one cannot wait for the public to experience her art...!
Cheers,
Andy TOYSREVIL
