Complex is brand-new Con fueled by popular culture and right around the corner. Well, it's actually in lovely Long Beach (where we just were in fact), and it's conceived by interesting top name artists like Takashi Murakami and Pharrell Williams. There will be performances by Skrillex, Snoop Dogg and a smattering of glitteratti, and at the core of this event there will be pop-up shops - including the incomparable DKE Toys.
"DKE Toys does about 4 conventions a year in which artists from all over the world create limited artist edition figures. Each piece is generally made out of hand poured resin and many are hand painted on custom printed (and sometimes hand drawn) card backs. Sometimes as many as 20 different artists participate in a given show. Many have commented that the DKE booth at these various shows look like a small art exhibition. While these figures are generally referred to as "bootlegs" they are far from pirated versions of mass marketed toys. Each of these artists use transformative properties in their work to communicate ideas that are often political, parody, or commentary about the pop culture world we live in. Also please do not be confused by the word "toy". These are works of art!!! Do not give to a child to play with. They will break, get ruined, and hurt your children physically and emotionally. DKE also acquires other limited edition figures from artists that are not exclusives so please stop by to see any unannounced specials." Here's what to expect in terms of exclusives this year, along with an appearance by the Hip-Hop Trooper!
Corporate Vader by Crisp
Colombian based street artist Crisp has honored us with a customized 3.75” scale figure on a hand stenciled card back. Each card front has a 5 layered stencil with another stencil on the back. Signed and numbered edition of 50. At $75 is a steal…
Crisp is an Australian street artist currently based in Bogota, Colombia. He has been participating in art shows and the vibrant urban art scene and festivals since 2009. Crisp’s work deals with the aesthetics of both the natural and socio-political world. He predominately uses the stencil technique and medium to convey his vision on the streets of the world. His use of street sculpture and masks adds another dimension and depth to his works in the street. You can find his street art in many cities across the world including Miami, Los Angeles, New York, Atlanta, Houston, Mexico City, Winnipeg, Sydney, London, Santa Marta, San Jose, Aruba and of course his adopted home of Bogota, Colombia.
He believes street art is an important uncensored pathway to highlight important issues and current affairs in a world where mass media is sponsored and controlled by politics, corporations and profit driven elements. He enjoys juxtaposing pop culture icons with real life concepts to highlight the irony of modern society and culture. He actively participates and donates his work to numerous foundations and social projects to enrich other people’s lives through art. Art can impact people’s lives not just for individual viewers but through co-operation, education and social change.
Crisp recently was a finalist for the 2016 Stencil Art prize which is currently being exhibited as part of the Sydney Fringe Festival. Being an Australian a personal highlight for Crisp in 2015 was being invited by the Australian Ambassador in Colombia, to paint a large internal mural in the new Australian Consulate Office building in Bogota. In 2015, Crisp was one of a number of specifically selected artists including Sheppard Fairy, Retina, and Mr Brainwash, that were invited to donate works for the annual Kaleidoscope Gala ball in Los Angeles, which was hosted by Goldie Hawn and Halle Berry to raise funds for a local children’s hospital.
His ongoing artwork covers a variety of mediums and a range of techniques - stencils, stickers, paste-ups, masks, street sculptures, large and small murals and works on canvas. Through urban mediums he addresses relevant socio-political aspects of the world as well as purely personal aesthetic expression. Crisp counts himself lucky to be able to practice his art as well as assist others, both things about which he feels extremely passionate.
STR WAS: Chewback by Mark Todd
Here is the latest edition of artist Mark Todd's first ever toy and first ever sculpture, a take on our furry friend. His original was molded and then cast in resin and hand painted by Mark as well. The card back is comprised of 2 riso graph prints on front and back for that very indie zine feel. 3.75" scale carded figure. Only 30 made and each is signed and numbered. $55 tax included.
Like many kids raised in the 70's, Mark was influenced at an early age by Star Wars and comic books. Unlike many kids, he grew up just a few miles from the Vegas strip, it's neon and glitz looming over the city. He graduated with honors from Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California and currently lives and works in the Los Angeles area with his wife, artist Esther Pearl Watson, their daughter Lili and Mr. Pickles, a lovely French Bulldog. Some of Mark’s awards include: American Illustration + Communication Arts + Society of Illustrators NY + Art Directors Club + Type Directors Club
Star Weird: Boba (cas) Sette by Topztoy Topztoy from Thailand has come up with an edition of 20 of our favorite bounty hunter encased in a cassette tape? Maybe this technology is better than a good old carbon freeze? This large hunk of hand poured resin is approx 3.75" tall and comes carded with resealable blister.
Maybe you can get it to play in your tape deck. $40 tax inc. Thawan Khiowpiam is a Thailand based artist and graphic designer who has been making custom art figures under the name Topztoy since 2013. in 2014 he organized the "Toy-want-you" art toys exhibition in Bangkok. He also created the Facebook community group "Art Toys Thailand" and administers "ATM#1: Art toys Thailand Meeting#1" in Bangkok.
Anonymous by The Panik Collective
With a team of international designers, the team will debut its first ever toy to be released at ComplexCon 2016 in Long Beach this November. You’ll have your chance to get your very own hand painted and customized 3.75" carded Anonymous protester figure. Half of Panik’s proceeds from sales will benefit The Courage Foundation. Signed and numbered edition of 50. $55 each tax included.
THE PANIK COLLECTIVE is a team of credentialed painters, sculptors, musicians, mathematicians & curators dividing time among multiple exhibition projects and public actions. Their inaugural solo exhibition at the Houston Museum of Drawing was extended through the end of November, and their High Fidelity series is a featured photo essay in the latest issue of Flaunt Magazine. Culture jammers by nature, the collective is frequently aligned with social activists, and both music and technology are common tropes within their oeuvre.
LandObama by Free Humanity
Famed street artist Free Humanity has hand customized each 3.75" figure and added a custom sculpted, cast and painted Obama head to one of our favorite scoundrels. More importantly each card back has been hand stenciled with 4 layers!!! splattered and then signed and numbered out of 25 pieces. At $100 a Free Humanity stencil of this complexity on a canvas would be at least 10 times as much money in a gallery. These will not last long.
Free Humanity Street Artist/Public Artist. Established 2009. Los Angeles. Free Humanity is an internationally recognized artist that has focused on political situations and notable figures who have had a positive impact on the world. Working his way from small street pieces to large scale murals all over the country. Free Humanity art can be seen on the streets of many cities world wide ranging from London, Paris, Mexico City, New York City, Miami, San Francisco, Los Angeles with his Signature Heart Style.
Instagram @FreeHumanity
Alien vs Predator by Special Ed Toys
Special Ed is back with another version of their 2015 Designer Toy Award nominated (for Toy of the Year!!!) figure set. This version made for ComplexCon 2016 is the Evil of the Thriller edition. You get two hand painted, cast and customized 3.75” scale figure on custom card backs. Signed and numbered out of 20 pieces. $120 tax included for the pair. Heee Heee!!!
"They came into our lives in the 80s, "touching" us in ways we could never imagine. One from the stars and the other a big shinning star on Earth. But as quickly as they touched our childhoods, they were gone. But now they're back...and they're coming after your fondest childhood memories and there's no telling who will win. Will it be the Reese's pieces peddling Alien or the Pretty Young Predator in disguise? One thing's for sure, no matter who wins, your childhood loses."
"From bootleg toys to terrible "art" of dubious quality, there is no type of "artistic" medium I won't shamelessly exploit in my mission to bring a little bit of terribleness into collector's homes far and wide!"
And do not miss the Hip Hop Trooper who will be hanging out Saturday and Sunday! This sounds like a lot of fun people...so get there if you can. Maybe you'll have a surprise treat and meet the honoarable Murakami as I did not too long ago. :)
