Arte Bettina | Beyond the Event Horizon

The art toy community is a very niche interest in the Philippines, and it is rare to discover a toy designer who has made it to well-known art galleries that can be found in commercial spaces. But it is considered a rare feat to be seen in these locations few would find in a standalone gallery or major art fairs. Dondi Fernandez finally gets his spotlight with his latest solo art exhibition. He has been known internationally through the ever-growing Art Toy industry in Asia having produced his limited edition creations as far back as 2018. Now, he's in the EVent Horizon bring is new creations at Arte Bettina with his latest exhibit.

Vinyl On Vinyl | Muscle Land

Some visual artists may look underrated and often overlooked for their unique and quirky way of crafting a world that a few people can relate to. Creating art is a challenging yet rewarding work if you put it together with sheer effort at the same time intense passion for what you believe in. This is something Reen Berrera has been doing and his creations are slowly getting the limelight that few others still dream of. If you have followed Reen’s work, then you are slowly getting introduced to these characters one by one they emerge and introduce themselves through his past solo shows and collaboration.

Batman x kidrobot | Harley Quinn

02.08.2020 – There have been impressive collaborations with kidrobot gaining wide acclaim as the producer of designer toys establishing its identity to a niche market that only few would even noticed. But now it is popular among toy collectors of vinyl toys that produced partnerships with visual artists in producing some of the rate art toys. But when you collaborate with DC Comics it is a mash-up of artful proportions as kidrobot known for producing The Dunny art figures gets to partner with one of the iconic brands namely a publishing powerhouse that brought you Batman!

Breaking the Mold | Billy Rush: Lost in Time

01.29.2020 – The Resurgence of interest in Designer Art Toys in the Philippines introduced a revival of previous toy sculptors and customizers that has been making great Art Toys in the past that were mostly had limited niche market is also slowly gaining prominence. This also gave a spotlight to the new faces in this community. There were also new creations and unannounced drops that were revealed in the recently concluded Mold Break. One of the those new faces is Mikko Rosales aka MIKOSWABE and if you haven’t heard of him the recent Art Toy PH: Toy Festival held last December 2019 will give you an idea on his previous project.

Nano TEQ63 | McDonald's Colorway

12.18.2018 – TEQ63 has come a long way from a prototype 8-Ball head resin. Collaborating with local artists from the Designer Toy Art scene to well known brands that produced different iteration of the character. It’s now slowly recognized in the general mainstream that will also introduce the Designer Toy medium. The Nano TEQ63 which is collaboration between QUICCS and Devil Toys an iteration of the character in its chibi toy form has been released early in June 2018 with the standard Black & White colorway. Now it takes on the iconic McDonald’s colorway called the ‘Super Size Me’ edition.

APCC Manila 2017 | First Batch of Int Artists Revealed

Artgerm, Quiccs, Alan Quah, Simone Legno and Jason Freeny amongst major artists

Talent and creativity abound in the first reveal of international artists who will grace AsiaPOP Comicon Manila 2017 (APCC Manila), which is happening on August 25 to 27 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.

From international artists’ Stanley Lau aka artgerm, Quiccs, Alan Quah, Simone Legno, to Jason Freeny, these creative geniuses are set to share their talents and insights to thousands of pop culture fans from all over the region who will converge at the country’s biggest pop culture convention.

Star Wars + Coolrain | Everyone Needs a Break!

05.04.2016 – Star Wars is celebrating May the Fourth which is considered “Star Wars Day” all over the world. In Singapore they already have it held during the last weekend of April, while in the Philippines the 501st Philippine Garrison was at Uniqlo trooping to promote a new line of shirts. But in Korea the celebration was a partnership with Coolrain producing a life size Dunkeys in a Stormtrooper uniform seated on the bench unveiled yesterday.

No Life Without "Converse X Coolrain!"

04.15.2016 – There a few well-known Art Toy designers in Asia that have made its mark in the mainstream unlike the ones coming from Europe or North America. One comes to mind is South Korean visual and sculptor Coolrain Lee. For those who are unfamiliar with his work you might have come across them though his collaboration with big brands and art galleries. His most familiar in work in the Philippines is the Eraserheads art toys that were released in 2013.

PREVIEWS Exclusive POP! Rancor Figure Pack!

01.16.2016 – The Star Wars fever has not ended this past Holiday season as they kept on rolling with news about the upcoming films, animation tie-up and comic books. Not to mention a slew of merchandise that would drive you insane. Diamond Distributors Inc. is one of the companies that bring out the best for the Star Wars fans globally. Most of the stuff they have are exclusive like the beastliest creatures that’s coming out as part of the Previews Exclusive Figure Pack!

TEQ63: 8Ball DIY Prototype Preview!

06.03.2014 – After the launch of Hidden Fortress last April the creative team led by Quiccs, Tripp 63, Egg Fiasco and Bjorn Calleja continue to make great art in through street art projects and exclusive custom designer art toys. Now Hidden Fortress expands the TEQ63 art toy with more variations, and future collaborations. This time they are about to release a blank figure that would allow new artists create their own version of the TEQ63 with the TEQ63: 8Ball 8Ball prototype…

Big Wow! Comic Fest 2014: Square Headz™ Designer Art Toys!

05.25.2014 – Square Headz™ by LLLC (La-La Land Crafts) which had a booth at this year’s Big Wow! Comic Fest and featured some eye catching designer art toys. They specialize in combining paper craft and vinyl art style custom toys. There’s not much history how they started but the product was introduced sometime early this year. It’s an inspiration by an existing paper craft and taking some design perspective from existing vinyl designer toys. Then you got something new ways to customize your own Square Headz™ into the vision what they can become.

Sneak Peek: Secret Fresh at Au Courant!

05.10.2014 – If you happen to be at the area of Powerplant Mall check out the Kirov Model Unit just beside Rockwell Tent. There you may see some unique finds like fine art, paintings, furniture, accessories and many more. This weekend Cura V is organizing an event where everything unique in one roof. Secret Fresh will be participating at Au Courant a Summer Travel Trunk Show, where they are selling paintings and art toys this Saturday and Sunday. There will be 26 other exhibitors all set to welcome you today and Secret Fresh gives you a sneak peek of their display…

Hidden Fortress Launched at Secret Fresh!

04.29.2014 – Hidden Fortress is a 1958 Japanese film by Akira Kurosawa. It has become one of the iconic films that inspired many genres. Recently a local group of talented individuals was inspired to form their own ‘Hidden Fortress.’ It’s a combination of independent art, graffiti, fashion, and art toys. Hidden Fortress Manila is that group comprised of talented graphic artists, which recently opened their store at the basement parking level at the Ronac Art Center.

Indieket 2013: Filbar's Unveiled Pop Art Project!

08.11.2013 – Indieket’s one-day event could not be contained with new comics being sold as well as surprising launches exclusive for this event. Upon entering the Bayanihan Center a few tables you’ll see the bright lights on your left side. It was actually Filbar’s booth where they have unveiled a mini-exhibit of Funko Pop Vinyl toys featuring Iron Man as the base figure customized by NINE local artists into their characters that defined their individual creations. It was fully unveiled during the opening of the second annual Indieket which was met with inspirations and enthusiasm.

Vinyl on Vinyl: Invasion of CoolRain a Pop Life Exhibition!

08.25.2012 – CoolRain Studios x Mindstyle two-day exhibit was greeted with live art and with warm reception Friday night while it was pouring outside The Collective. Before the art gallery was torn down to prepare for Mindstyles’ exhibit at STGCC 2012 we share you some images from the last day. This is also the Philippine launch of the limited edition Dunkeys a parody of your legendary Chicago Bulls players from the 1990s or so what we thought.

Robotars Custom Toy Show 2 Hops to the World!

07.27.2012 – The Robotars Custom Toy Show is the sequel to the 2010 launch of the original designer resin creation by JoMike Tejido. There are two color versions of the resin figurine of Robot Tarsiers made which comes in blank and the standard appearance in brown. It is an independently-produced resin figure and an urban art toy based on tarsiers described as tiny primates a threatened species found in the Philippines represented for the love of urban art.

Toy Photography: Best Toy Shoots of the Week (October 1-5, 2011)

Photo by Detrimier Villones

10.06.2011 - For anyone who has not heard about “Toy Photography” it’s becoming an art form for those who love collecting toys and taking photography as a hobby. The interest started picking during the past two years. Originally the concept has been around as early as the late 1990s to early 2001.

There’s one individual who started taking photos from way back of 2003 and that’s Brian McCarthy. His portfolio shows some interesting kind of inspiration and speaks volumes of emotion that is expressed by his composition. He has released a photo book of his works and still captivates a lot of people getting inspired to try “Toy Photography” as a concept.

Vinyl on Vinyl Opens at The Collective!

02.09.2010 - Vinyl on Vinyl is the newest art gallery to open inside The Collective, where apparel, music, and urban culture are cultivated in the heart of Makati City. The event last night was opened to nearby residents and friends who are getting interested in this kind of culture. The event promotes the urban culture featuring some of the best and talented graphic and street artists. For the opening of the art gallery VoV features Mark Landwehr of Coarse Toys and Robotox with music by Nomad Technology!

STGCC 2009: Opening Night and Event Preview!

08.30.2009 – A few weeks ago was the start of our inspiration which is the recently concluded STGCC (Singapore Toys, Games, and Comics Convention). It was the second pop culture event for a rich artistic culture in Singapore which was organized by the kind folks at PI Events (Play Imaginative). The experience was overwhelming and the adventures in-between still leaves me quite an inspiration to tell you about the first day on what exactly happened on August 13, 2009.