Art isn’t recession proof, anyone in the market can tell you that. Just because a few pieces are fetching multi-million dollar price tags these days, doesn’t mean the struggle to sell popular art has subsided. At the same time, the increased visibility of surrealist pop art is a growing niche interest, which is led by the massive creativity being yielded in the screen print and vinyl toy scenes. In my opinion, pop art can’t cost thousands of dollars. It definitely depends on what your idea of pop art is. In my mind, something so elusive, like a $10,000 painting, cannot really be that popular. Renown perhaps, but not accessible, nor tangible. A piece in that price bracket is something only the elite can afford. Vinyl toys have helped truly make pop art popular, and continue to prove themselves as a new wave in art viability.
In this sense, pop surrealism has evolved and broadened its scope. Artists like Frank Kozik, Alex Pardee, Sam Flores, and many more, continue to astound by rendering 3D versions of their artwork via stellar companies like The Loyal Subjects. The birthchild of Jonathan Cathey and Adam Kennedy Damiano, this LA outfit has quickly developed into a trusted and respected player in the vinyl toy market. With amazing paint gradient detail and expert designs that more than do justice to the original art, it’s easy to see that Jonathan and the people at The Loyal Subjects are well on their way. They’ve rocked some sick toys for us here at Upper Playground, and we look forward to seeing what they cook up next. I spoke to Jonathan Cathey, Co-Founder of The Loyal Subjects, about the growth of the scene, his great white trash idea, and TLS’ role in educating the public through commercially viable pop art toys. —Evan La Ruffa
TCR: So you founded The Loyal Subjects? When did the project begin?
Yea, my partner is Adam Kennedy Damiano. We started it after I removed myself from my old company…a little over a year and a half ago…
TCR: So you were already making toys before that time?
I got started probably over 10 years ago, I came up with these things called The Mulletheads, which are these goofy novelty product things…and those kinda took off.
Jonathan Cathey of The Loyal Subjects is a post from: The Citrus Report | Art, Culture, News, Graffiti, Music, Street Art, Clothing, Politics, Reviews