Toyist Art
Natalie Saiph Massone
I discovered Toyism by chance, and I immediately loved the way the images communicate some of the most difficult themes in a very bright way. "Everything" can be conceptualized and become a subject for Toyists representations, where slices of everyone’s lives can be perceived and recognized. The themes become toys that are brought to life in order to play an active role themselves.
On February 24th, the Toyism art movement was first introduced to the Dutch public. As a figurative style, Toyism originates from an impulse for innovation and as a reaction to the age of the Ego. The exciting play of smooth lines with sharp boundaries, dots and the power of bright contrasting colours, gives the paintings an extremely vivacious character. Existing Toyism philosophies can be retraced in each piece- translated into clear, direct image. The world of the Toyists consists of fragments and moments; their work is often anecdotal but at the same time wilful and rich in fantasy. It is a recognisable world, which nevertheless contains the bizarre within. In Toyism the story line is essential. Every Toyist portrays his own unique story and by doing so adds a new dimension to Toyism. After the manifesto was rewritten in October 2002, the movement became more accessible to fresh, young artists. (1) Toyist artworks need a high quality standard, and the Manifesto draws the artists together in making it a Movement. Every Toyist works under a chosen pseudonym. With this name the work is signed. In combination with a Toyistic puppet every Toyist is recognizable. It’s not the face that is important; it’s about the art which is carried out. The founders Mr. Dejo and Mr. Blaak have since been joined by Miss Fihi, Mr. Jaf’r, Mr. Alfago all from the Netherlands and Miss Mwano from Kaapstad, Mr. Toescat from New York and Miss Sassy from Austin, Texas USA. Together they represent the original movement, each adding their own accent to the expression of the ideas. In this way the style continues to undergo an explosion in growth, ensuring that future artists from other countries and cultures who join will make a definite impact on the movement. In 2005, with the "Let the Games Begin" publication and exhibition, the compositions have also become the combined work of two artists following certain rules of play. During this particular exhibition, every visitor could create his/her composition, being directly involved in the game. (2)
"We do two shows a year. This can be anywhere in the world, from Finland to Thailand, from Canada to Australia. We just had an exhibition in China. In October 2006, we will show our work at the Koelsh Gallery in Houston, Texas," explains Mr Dejo . Finally, I asked him which was the painting he was more attached to and proud of. "The Freakshow is my best painting," explains Mr Dejo. "It’s from 2003 and it took me three months to paint it. It was specially made for an exhibition in the famous Beurs van Berlage in Amsterdam for Red Bull. The concept is based on a painting of the biggest artist form the last century: Pablo Picasso: GuernicaThe art of love! The painting Guernica of Picasso is an icon in the history of modern art. From the start is chosen for a image language that refers to the contemporary approach of eroticism. What Guenica is to war, the freakshow is about the way we see sex these days. No more secrets, everything we can watch on TV or internet. Film cameras are hanging everywhere, like in Big Brother. Positive and negative sometimes; values are less important these days. It’s all about the outside, we have to look good and sharp, have good jobs and a lot of money. The innerside is less important. We live in a fast world. What is new today, tomorrow is forgotten. Travelling around the world will open your eyes and you realize we live in a great land but there is a whole lot more then materialistic things….." (3) Money, animals, plants, food, words, human relationships, time, energy, possession and obsessions: toyist images often bring the opposites together, with a fund of deep meanings displayed in a playful and colorful way, following the rule of the game. Each painting has its mood and story, like frozen fragments of our lives.
