This past Friday evening (5.29), Gino Joukar’s Toy Art Gallery presented the opening of Netzwerk and Musashinto Tech, featuring the original hand-made figures of Daniel Goffin and Martin Osuna. A good sized crowd was on-hand for TAG’s debut show which in many ways can be seen as a reaction and perhaps antidote to the status quo of designer toys.
Daniel Goffin offered a large variety of hand-sculpted and cast resin figures at very reasonable prices. The most striking element of his work is its originality and flair – these are figures with soul – from the retro elegance of Top Hat to the awesome mutant ferocity of Karl Diesel. Speaking of Diesel, check out the mouth that stretches across his entire back through his crotch. Other offerings included Daniel’s hybrid blending of Charlize Harlow with the Onell Glyos system for a small series of mini-figures and his innovative pill-style Metamorphin micro figures proved to be quite popular at $20 per box of ten.
Martin Osuna’s work is at once futuristic and archaic – combining shapes evoking spacecraft and robotic marvels with an organic form hinting at elements of spirituality meshed with technology. Martin presented several series of figures drawn from his world of Musashinto Tech – both the mini-sized figures and the larger ones are clearly drawn from the same creative DNA. Each one features a unique color combination, individuals within a collective.
His one-off original sculptures are even more impressive than his editioned work. These larger pieces showcase the range of his creativity blending futuristic elements with feudal ones.
This debut show kicks off the Toy Art Gallery’s exciting monthly lineup specializing in indie toy design. Next up: Blamo Toys.
Neztwerk and Musashinto Tech runs through June 12th, 2010. If you’re in SoCal, make a trip to TAG to check out the excellent work. Also keep an eye out for online ordering for show pieces shortly.
Toy Art Gallery
737 Seward St #1
Los Angeles, CA 90038
