: invalid url input)
UPDATE: September 17, 4:43pm
YES! As luck would have it, this afternoon we did receive one of the boxes for the Dehara exhibit scheduled to open tomorrow...and it was the one with the exhibit pieces!
We'll be opening the exhibit on time tomorrow and all exhibit pieces will be on display and available to purchase beginning at 10am (Saturday, September 18).
What didn't make it yet are (as yet unannounced) vinyl figures that will also be available. We'll update everyone when those arrive and we can get some photos prepared. Vinyl figures will be available first to attendees of the exhibit's opening weekend, and we'll announce details for online sales (if any remain) as soon as we can.
I'll be working on setting up the exhibit preview/lottery for those that can't attend in person tomorrow, so if you're interested, make sure you sign up for the email at http://previews.rotofugi.com
Thanks....Kirby (Rotofugi Gallery Director)
Kirby Kerr
Rotofugi Gallery Director
Japanese Salaryman Satoshi
New Works by Dehara Yukinori
September 18-October 10, 2021
With summer winding down we're pleased to be bringing you the final exhibit in our three-show run of all Japanese artists...and it's one we are personally very excited for.
Join us beginning Saturday, September 18 for "Japanese Salaryman Satoshi," a new figure exhibition by Dehara Yukinori, presented in conjunction with Paradise Toy.
For me, Dehara is the perfect combination of talented illustrator and sculptor, but also very much with a punk rock/outsider attitude. I can distinctly remember first seeing his works via his collaboration with Hong Kong-based toymakers Toy2R in 2006 and knowing I had a new art crush...and now, 15 years later, we are honored to be hosting an exhibition of his amazing sculptures. (Kirby Kerr, Rotofugi Gallery Director)
For this exhibit, works will be available first to attendees of the opening weekend, but we will take requests for purchase via our previews email list and conduct a lottery for remaining pieces after the opening weekend. Sign up at previews.rotofugi.com to receive an email when works are available to request.
The exhibit will be open for viewing at Rotofugi, 2780 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago beginning Saturday, September 18, 10am-6pm, however, we are being cautious and will not be holding an opening reception.
Japanese Salaryman Satoshi continues through October 10th or view online at gallery.rotofugi.com.
About the Artist
Dehara Yukinori is a Tokyo-based figure illustrator and sculptor. Born in 1974, Dehara produces approximately 300 new sculptures a year (and claims to also consume 300 liters of beer per year) that are exhibited in galleries in Tokyo, Taipei, Hong Kong, NY, Los Angeles, Paris...and now, Chicago!
His books include the figure photo books Satoshi-kun's List Life and Jibakore, and the picture books Vegetable War and Satoshi-kun and Menta-kun. Cakes was broadcast on TV TOKYO and made into a DVD.
In addition to his fine art work, Dehara has worked on advertising and character design campaigns for clients like Nike, NEC, Tower Records, ASICS, Meiji, etc. and he is an active member of Menpe (Tokyo Men's Painter Association) with Mr. Nampei Kaneko with whom he has mounted multiple exhibits.
Moonlit Forest Town
New Works by Kohei Ogawa
August 21-September 12, 2021
The second show in our three exhibit summer series featuring all Japanese artists is the wonderful Kohei Ogawa, presented in conjunction with How2Work and The Little Hut.
Well-known in Japan for his amazing needle-felted character creations, Kohei Ogawa is also a talented painter and sculptor. His works often feature anthropomorphized animals and monster-like (but still cute) creatures, and he is perhaps best known to toy collectors for his BG Bear character.
For this exhibit, works will be available first to attendees of the opening weekend, but we will take requests for purchase via our previews email list and conduct a lottery for available pieces after the opening weekend. Sign up at previews.rotofugi.com to receive an email when works are available to request.
The exhibit will be open for viewing at Rotofugi, 2780 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago beginning Saturday, August 21, 10am-6pm, however, we are being cautious and will not be holding an opening reception.
Moonlit Forest Town continues through September 12th or view online at gallery.rotofugi.com.
About the Artist
Born in 1975, Kohei Ogawa started to work as a freelance illustrator after graduating from Asagaya College of Art in 1997. He is a talented artist who excels both as a painter and a sculptor. He dedicated most of his time creating needle-felted dolls in 2013 and was well known for his "Green Cow Garden" series. He creates not only needle-felted dolls of "Green Cow Garden” but also more unique artworks. Since 2017, he has cooperated with How2Work to develop various figure projects - “Naughty Boy” series, “BG Bear” series and the blind boxed mini figure “Green Cow Garden” series.
Official Release Details for Gaia OG by Hebru Brantley are here!
—
UPDATE — LOTTERY DETAILS
While we have sold the majority of our stock of Gaia OG by Hebru Brantley, we do have some left and are conducting a lottery to sell the remaining stock.
To enter, please visit http://rtfgi.co/gaia and complete the form. We'll be conducting the random drawing on Wednesday, August 4 and are accepting entries through that morning at 10am central time.
If you are in Chicago and can visit the store we have reserved a small number of pieces for in-store sales this week, please don't wait too long if you're hoping to grab one.
Thanks and good luck to all hoping to snag one of these beautiful figures!
—
The latest Lil Mama figure, Gaia, is a symbol of good fortune and the personification of Mother Earth. This amulet will provide you and those you love with blessings and protection when placed in a sacred space. Gaia OG is a vinyl figure and the second in a series of 5 colorways. Edition of 1000, $225, 7.5”H x 5.5”W x 5.5”D.
Gaia OG will be available in-person only (no online/phone/email orders or reservations) at Rotofugi, 2780 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago, beginning at 10am on Friday, July 30. Strict limit one per customer/household. Line tickets will be available for those that don't want to stand in a long line all day and will be given out starting Friday at 10am. We will have 225 pieces available for sale.
REMINDER: Masks are required to shop in our store currently, please bring your mask and practice social distancing while in line.
In addition to Rotofugi, Gaia OG will release this Friday, July 30 at 10am PT / 12pm CT / 1pm ET on https://www.hebrubrantley.com/hebrubrandstore and also in person only at Toy Tokyo in New York. For any information about their releases, please contact them directly.
Ichijitsu Senshu
New Works by Shoko Nakazawa
July 17-August 15, 2021
Starting mid-July we kick off a three show run of all Japanese artists, presented in conjunction with The Little Hut, How2Work, and Paradise Toys! Up first, a new exhibit by none other than Shoko Nakazawa!
Perhaps best known for her adorable Byron character and sofubi, Shoko is a talented designer, painter and sculptor and we are excited to be hosting her second US solo exhibit in partnership with The Little Hut. The exhibit title, Ichijitsu Senshu, loosely translates to "when you're waiting for something impatiently one day seems like a thousand autumns." Given how the last year or so has gone, it's a sentiment I'm sure we can all relate to!
Original works will be available first to members of our previews email list...sign up at previews.rotofugi.com to receive an email when works are available — we try to have a preview out a day or two before an exhibit opens. Sofubi/figure releases will be available first to attendees of exhibit's opening weekend, with online sales of remaining stock to be made available via our website in the week following.
The exhibit will be open for viewing at Rotofugi, 2780 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago beginning Saturday, July 17, 10am-6pm, however, we are being cautious and will not be holding an opening reception.
Ichijitsu Senshu continues through August 15th or view online at gallery.rotofugi.com.
About the Artist
Shoko Nakazawa has dedicated her work to produce a world of decadence and nature through the creation of human and fantastic creatures using acrylic paint and digital media. She uses vivid colors to create two dimensional images and three dimensional figures. She has participated in art events at home and abroad.
Dungeons & Drag Queens
New Works by Atom Basham
June 19-July 11, 2021
For June we're wrapping up a three-show run of some of our favorite Chicago-based artists with a new show by Atom Basham!
Atom's world of monsters, freaks, outcasts and aliens is full of color and humor, all rendered expertly in a dense illustrative style — we can't wait to show you what he's been up to!
Works will be available first to members of our previews email list...sign up at previews.rotofugi.com to receive an email when works are available — we try to have a preview out a day or two before an exhibit opens.
For those in Chicagoland, the exhibit will be open for viewing and sales beginning Saturday, June 19, 10am-6pm, at 2780 N. Lincoln Ave., however, we are being cautious and will not be holding an opening reception.
Dungeons & Drag Queens continues through July 11th and the gallery is open for viewing at 10am-6pm daily, or view online at gallery.rotofugi.com.
About the Artist
Atom Basham is an illustrative painter based in Chicago's historic Flat Iron Arts Building, in a work studio/gallery open to the public seven days a week. His painting style, generally done in acrylic and ink, attempts to tell tiny self-contained stories reminiscent of children's book illustrations, though with a darker slice of humor where the main characters often get eaten.
He takes his day to day inspirations from books, fellow artists, toys, films, and a constant obsession with '80s pop culture. When he's not hard at work in his studio, he can usually be found trying to figure out what one of his boston terriers have just swallowed.
