Fondly remembered as the manager of Toy Tokyo during the art toy boom at the beginning of the 00’s, artist Peter Kato has quickly become recognised as one-to-watch in the contemporary indie toy scene. Developing and releasing several successful self-made toys, collaborating with industry veterans Ayako Takagi ( Uamou ) & Goto-San, plus holding down a place at the prestigious Cortes Studio, meant that 2011 quickly became one of Peter’s busiest years yet, and with the array of projects lined up in the near future, including the re-release of the awesome Man-Nie figure (featured below), 2012 is guaranteed to follow suit…
We were lucky to get some time with the man himself to discuss his influences, the challenges of the indie toy scene, and the future of Tetsujin Turtle-
What got you into the art toy scene, and toys in general? Your Man-Nie figure pays a loving tribute to Man-E-Faces, did MOTU play a big part in your childhood?
Being a child of the 80’s not only did MOTU but cartoons, comics & toys from this era played a huge role in my childhood. I’ve loved toys all my life, from the first Kenner Star Wars figures, GI Joe, Ninja Turtles to the current kubriks & kaiju vinyls I have to say I’ve always & happily been a toy nerd & so I’m not sure if my childhood ( in reference to toys) ever ended.
For how I got involved with toys, well I used to be a manager at Toy Tokyo ( East Village toystore NYC) for like 7 years starting somewhere around late 2000. So I guess I was always an admirer of the scene ever since I could remember it starting. All those years I wanted to participate in the toy scene anyway I could, at the time I was only able to squeeze my way into custom toy/art shows (DIY types). I had a background as an independent comic book illustrator & all the while waited for someone to “discover me” & make my toy ideas. That never happened.
It was in 2009 when I was introduced to professional artist/ toy sculptor Dave Cortes(cortesstudio.com) that changed all that. He literally brokedown the physics of sculpting by hand/ making silicone molds/ resin casting for me. With his generous guidance I was allowed inside a world I thought was out of my reach, making your own toys. So after years of being on the sidelines, followed by a few years of training I’m happy to be an “active” participant in toys now, so in the scene as a toy-maker I’m a newbie.
What artists have inspired your work? Are there any particular people/collectives that you’re following at the moment?
As of artists who have inspired me? My answer is in two parts ( professional artists in the scene currently & upcoming indie artists I feel are my colleagues).
The minute I saw the Onell Design Group ( this was way~ before I knew anything about making toys) I thought Wow! I want to be like them! With that I didn’t necessarily mean I wanted to make awesome jointed articulated figures but their attitude & nature in the industry. They make what they want & have a blast doing it.They have the best fans & friends surrounding them because their stuff is always fun & original, they are also so friendly & approachable.
Through them I met my other inspirations Ayako Takagi ( Uamou ) & Mori Katsura ( Real x Head ). With Mori-san I’ve really studied his figures paint schemes and tried to apply a bit of it into my work. His range of variety is endless, presentation always full of energy. And Ayako, I feel has her stuff together. Her focus on achieving goals in the industry are really noticeable. Her character designs are simple & perfect (its actually harder I feel to come up with a “simple” sculpture that works than a muti-complex piece with a hundred features). She has a very popular studio-shop(Studio Uamou) in Tokyo connected to an awesome Cafe( Cafe Boo run by her brother) & has dozens of projects that keep her fan base’s attention active. I read in an interview with her a long time ago where her advice to artists interested in getting out there was: believe, act & persevere. That motto helped me get my act together last year for SDCC then NYCC & then my own exhibition at Studio Uamou this past December.
(Kato x Uamou x Real x Head Turtle Tetsujins)
I also look up to artists like Lamour Supreme & Sucklord( who’s really really nice actually) for their constant drive & dedication to making the scene fun & memorable.
Then there are the following artists (which I used to work with in Toy Tokyo , have been at this longer than I have & currently are making big steps!). Artists Angel Tan (Plushplay) who’s an amazing felted plush dutchess, Justin Alan Volpe (Popprolific) a modern day Geppeto whose recently got to design the Toy Tokyo Bearbrick for the Parco Bearbrick show this past December in Tokyo. And David Healey (HealeyMade) a master mathematician of toy hybrids, who is one of Mishka’s current rising stars.
The way I talk about them using colorful descriptions make them sound like characters from MOTU doesn’t it?
(Fright Bite, various editions, Peter Kato)
What challenges do you face as an independent toy designer/creator? How important to you is it to have full control over the processes involved?
As an indie toy maker you have tons of challenges.
Time is the first thing you have to be willing to sacrifice, or better said ” invest “. You can have all of the greatest ideas in the world , but if you don’t sit down & start making it, nothing will happen. I used to be the most socially active person back in the day, now everyday after my day job & all weekend I’m at my studio working on toys. I love it, just miss my friends sometimes…
Having full control at this stage is very important, with it your creative freedom is plenty. Knowing as much as you can about the industry you want to be involved with is priceless to me…
(Turtle Tetsujin Valentine version, Peter Kato)
Turtle Tetsujin went on to become one if our favourite toys of 2011. How did the idea come about? Are there any other variants in the pipeline?
Thank you! Turtle Tetsujin was this robotic-hero I’ve always wanted to make, he’s that Gigantor T-28/ Gamera / Frankenstein Jr “Big Guy” that is loved by & fights for children. I used a snapping turtle design as the characters charm point hence his powerful jaw. This Tetsujin is the first variant , sort of the proto-type. Like a Mazinger-Z there will be a Great Manzinger version of TT. Many different types planned for the future. His design does have some deeper meanings that I’m hoping to reveal …maybe as a mini-comic?
What can we expect from you in the future? Are there plans for any new additions to the He-Homies line?
I’m excited to be working on a few collaborations with new artists, there will be some brand new figures this year as well as new versions of existing characters ( Turtle Tetsujin, FrightBite, Karate Kat)
Any final words?
I believe in the 80’s , love utility belts, natto on rice & Fringe.
shingangu.com 