Is it art? Is it a toy? Who is it for? And what does it mean for collectors?
A 'toy', once a child's plaything, suddenly surged in price beyond kids' budget with one word added: Art. These niche designers' collectible figures were once adored mainly by street art, animation, and graphic enthusiasts.
Now, it is taking over the world with clients of all backgrounds and ages.
From Toy To Art Toy
In the 1990s, a Hong Kong artist, hailed the godfather of designer toys, Michael Lau, channeled his love for toy figurines into a work of art, transforming children's ordinary objects into adult, precious creations. Since then, the waves have continued to rise.
Leading the way with KAWS, Takashi Murakami, Bearbrick, and many others, and achieving blue-chip status. Following in the footsteps of those before, three decades later comes Pop-Mart, the Chinese powerhouse that transformed blind-box collectibles into a global phenomenon.
The Rise of Pop Mart
Pop Mart’s artist-driven, yet accessible designs have introduced millions to the idea that a toy can be both playful and artful, creating a cultural bridge between mass-market enthusiasm and fine art appreciation.
By offering collectibles at approachable price points, they have not only democratized access to designer toys but also reignited excitement in the broader collectibles market.
Suddenly, collecting is not just for seasoned collectors, but for all who are dynamic and experienced; limited editions spark buzz, blind boxes keep collectors on their toes, and resale prices fuel conversation, reminding the art world that collectible culture can be both accessible and aspirational.
What does this mean to collectors?
The rise of art toys represents a fresh opportunity and excitement. Meaning, the market now offers multiple entry points: accessible collector pieces from brands like Pop Mart for newcomers, and rare, limited-edition figures from select galleries for seasoned collectors.
A span of choices for collectors. The merger of mass-market appeal and curatorial prestige allows collectors to navigate the space with flexibility, blending passion, strategy, and a sense of community.
Deodato Arte: The Bridge
Contemporary galleries like Deodato Arte have embraced this art toy movement, presenting figures like Bearbricks, KAWS alongside other artworks. With locations in Milan and a presence at international fairs such as the AAF in New York, Deodato Arte offers collectors access to global icons and emerging creators alike.
Its curated selection emphasizes storytelling, scarcity, and artistic innovation, transforming toys into works of cultural and investment value for collectors everywhere.
The alliance between Pop Mart’s global domination and galleries like Deodato’s curatorial approach illustrates how art toys are redefining the landscape of collecting. They are democratic in appeal yet prestigious in execution, accessible to newcomers while still prized by seasoned collectors.
In a world where boundaries between high and low are collapsing, art toys fit in the middle as the perfect hybrid; small in scale, but monumental in impact.
For collectors, they offer not just objects to own, but stories to experiences, communities to join, and a new way to define what contemporary art can be.