"Banksy Action Figure" x Mike Leavitt

Introducing the "Banksy Action Figure." This is Mike Leavitt's first mass produced figure and although it is listed as an action figure, it is more of a sculpture than anything else. This 10-inch tall unofficially licensed vinyl figure depicts British street artist Banksy as a monkey. It also features a banana, rat bobby, Guantanamo Bay detainee, Disneyland terrain (land, fence, cactii). These pieces are limited to only 1000 copies worldwide — with a guaranteed one-time only production run — and are available now exclusively from Magic Bodega for $100 apiece.

~Mr. N. Visible

Custom Bomb Necklaces by Ardabus Rubber

These 2.25" Bombs were hand painted and sealed with 2 coats of gloss finish. Each one is different and they are signed and numbered 1/1.

Bomb toy made of plastic. Produced by Aplogies to Banksy.

Via Ardabus Rubber

$40 each. Available now.

-The Highest Fever
@thehighestfever

Ardabus Rubber New Custom Bomb Hugger

 

 

Ardabus Rubber got hold of one of Apologies To Banksy's 6.5" vinyl figures "Bomb Hugger", and painted her up! This piece, titled "A Sign Of Weakness", is painted & airbrushed with acrylics and availabe here.

 

I'd have to say the design is improving my standing on the platform overall. The stripes on the legs compliment the sculpting in the legs, and the skeletal finger bones are dainty. It would be interesting to see what else can be done on this platform!

 

For more of Ardabus' work, and works-in-progress, you can connect on facebook or follow on Instagram @ardabusrubber

 

 

 

 

 

-Tasha Zimich

Review Bomb Hugger By Apologies To Banksy

 

 

Today I have for you an examination and review of one of the recent Apologies To Banksy Bomb Hugger vinyl & PVC, available from Apologies To Banksy here.

 

The company stirs a bit of controversy, as it is not an official affiliate of Banksy- of whom is explicit in his attitude towards unauthorized reproductions of his work. Apologies to Banksy seem sorry about the capitalization on his name and artwork though; they named their company after their feelings towards it. And apologize profusely on their packages and website. But they don't seem sorry enough to not endeavor to interperate and sell his ideas.

 

 

My ambition was to let a review and some research change my opinion about the companies efforts, though it has been mixed results. I'm pro-inpiration, interpretation, trans-platform engineering- these can all be very good things. Lots of our favourite artists draw from existing creative properties we know and love/critique; from Ron English to Greg Simkins. So where does the line get drawn between when we love it, or don't? Here's what I found about Bomb Hugger.

 

It came out of the box a litle dirty, which was disappointing. On close inspection, the Quality Control in the figure itself had a bit of trouble with bubbling. This piece had a crater from a popped bubble on her nose- the last place any company wants QC issues would be the figure's face, I imagine. As observed in a previous review on Tomopop, this figure has a bit of an unpleasant seam in the back where right arm joins the body. The DIY figure does come with free paint and a brush, which is a thoughtful gesture, though artists paying 20GBP+Shipping for a designer blank would not be buying it on the merits of getting these paints.

 

This image darkened to highten the contrast in the facial features.

 

 

Sometimes a controvercial idea can win us over when the quality of the product is really outstanding. I'm not left feeling this way with Bomb Hugger- for about $50USD after shipping from the UK, she might arrive dirty, may have QC issues, and wide seams. The sculpting seemed a bit challenged to me; her left arm is twice as long as her right arm, and the bomb cradles akwardly, pulling away from what should have been contact points with her face and hands.

 

 

 

In Banksy's original street artwork, her features are feminine and she makes emotive contact with the bomb she embraces. These two hallmarks of the success of the image did not appear to translate effectively in the vinyl interpretation.

 

 

 

From a customizing perspective of looking at the piece as a DIY Blank, it doesn't seem very appealing. It is hyper-literal in its figuration, which can be difficult to work interperatively with and do anything more than make variations of colourways. The bomb is a very nice size to be able to custom in interesting ways, about 3" long, and removable. Her skirt is also a smooth and easily accessable canvas to work on.

 

And we know it's not true that extremely literal bases cannot be creatively re-imagined; this Ardabus Rubber custom Kozik bust stands out in my mind as an effective abstract interpretation on an extremely literal platform.

 

 

 

 

So what could have been done differently for Bomb Hugger?

 

Bomb Hugger may have been an effective bust, which would have allowed for more elegant sculpting in the face. This was explored also by Tomopop, who reviewed Bomb Hugger alongside Apologies to Banksy's figure Rude Copper. I think there's truth in the conclusion we both arrived at though; what Bomb Hugger gained by being a full-body figure with a nicely detailed base does not seem to outweigh some of the other aesthetic challenges with working in that scale.

 

I do appreciate it takes a great deal of work to actualize and produce a figure like this. And Apologies To Banksy are trying hard to share what they feel strongly about doing; they're attending Expos and putting on a Custom Exhibition. They're even putting on a design competition where entrants have a chance to have their custom made into a production run of 250 pieces and sold. An undisclosed proceeds percentage is intended for donation an undisclosed charity. No compensation to the artist is offered, though having a design produced is pretty cool, many would say.

 

If you're a fan of Banksy's work, it might just be a really cool thing to have in your collection. It's a great invitation to submit to show custom work in London in their upcoming Exhibition. They're a young company with ambition, and deserve acknowledgement for that. And they did mention they're sorry, right?

 

 

-Tasha Zimich

Rude Copper from Apologies to Banksy now available!

When the new Rude Copper figures by Apologies to Banksy arrived for review, I'd already had my opinion of them somewhat colored by internet debates over their legitimacy. Apparently, Banksy (from whom the design is derived) is not involved with the company, and some people don't appreciate the tongue-in-cheek manner in which ATB writes off this "theft" with their very name. But honestly, that's all I'm going to mention about that aspect of them. My main interest is as a toy enthusiast and collector, so I pushed such trivial matters aside and got down to admiring these (in)decent pieces of vinyl!

The figures are 4" and 6" tall, and available in several blank colors of rotocast vinyl. They are on the soft side, but they feel very durable. The vinyl does have some inconsistencies, areas where it varies from shiny to dull, but this is a minor issue and would be completely unnoticeable if you painted the figure, I only point it out for folks who wish to display them blank.

The design is great, and the sculpt well-executed. I found myself admiring the details on the helmet especially. It's very crisp in contrast to the smooth lines in the arms and the planes of the jacket. The pupils are even sculpted and every bit of attention brings this former work of graffiti art to life.

And oh yeah, Tenacious Toys has them. Just send an email!

-WolverineBurger

(Photos by TDAWG)

Apologies to Banksy Rude Copper vinyl figure

 

There's been a bunch of interest in the new vinyl figures by UK company Apologies to Banksy, so we thought we'd acquire some better images for all of you. This is a 6 inch vinyl figure called "Rude Copper." There's a smaller version as well.

Banksy DIY vinyl figures

So we're going to be stocking these Banksy DIY figures. They're made of vinyl and each is about 6 inches tall. Pretty rad. Retail price will be about $35ish. Who's diggin' these? Leave a comment!
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