Miss Fihi "Violence of Nature" Painting Acrylic on canvas, 2005 Price: Contact Gallery		Mr. Dejo "The freakshow" Printmaking Giclee, 2003 Price: $ 1800		Mr. Jaf'r "Empty life" Painting Acrylic on canvas, 2004 Price: Contact Gallery

Exhibitions:
ART THROUGH THE MIND OF A TOYIST - 2007-03-06 until 2007-04-14

Gallery Statement:
The Toyists & the Toyism Art Movement (last update June 2007)
check out toyism.com for the latest info!

The Toyists are:
Mr. Dejo, Mr. Jaf'r, Mr. Toescat, Mr. Alfago, Miss Fihi, Miss Iffio, Miss Mwano, Miss Pixy.

The foundation of Toyism in 1992 reinstalled regulation into art after individualism had reigned supreme for years. On 24 February 1993, the Toyism art movement was first introduced to the Dutch public. With the introduction of Toyism, the initiators reinstated structure in the art world, long dominated by individualism which had already celebrated its heyday for many years.


On 5 September 1992 Dejo wrote the principles for a new movement that he gave the name Toyism. This principles became written in a manifesto. A month after the writing of the Toyistic manifesto, more artists complied by Toyism. In the years after its many developments followed each other, as that ‘s inherent at the dynamics of art. In the first 7 years the Toyists used in their art simple (fairy tale) stories, simple colour positions and the use of always returning image elements, as for instance the computer and the space shuttle. These limitations led to it that in 2001 Toyism underwent a metamorphosis that at present much more maturity radiates then the period before that. The level of the present Toyists is developed and very various. Within the present Toyism there are no limitations anymore and so the style can keep on growing till an international art movement with Toyists over the whole world.



As a figurative style, Toyism originates from an impulse for innovation and as a reaction to the age of the Ego. For a number of years much emphasis had been laid upon the individual but with the introduction of Toyism a certain order once again took centre stage. Although Toyism is not readily captured by any one sentence or genre, it can be recognised by its figurative style.
The exciting play of smooth lines with sharp boundaries, dots and the power of bright contrasting colours, gives the paintings an extremely vivacious character. Existing Toyism philosophies can be retraced in each piece; translated into clear, direct image.

The world of the Toyists consists of fragments and moments; their work is often anecdotal but at the same time wilful and rich in fantasy. It is a recognisable world, which nevertheless contains the bizarre within. In Toyism the story line is essential. Every Toyist portrays his own unique story and by doing so adds a new dimension to Toyism. After the manifesto was rewritten in October 2002, the movement became more accessible to fresh, young artists.



Every Toyist works under a chosen pseudonym. With this name the work is signed. In combination with a Toyistic puppet every Toyist is recognizable. It’s not the face that is important; it’s about the art which is carried out. The founders Mr. Dejo and Mr. Blaak have since been joined by Miss Fihi, Mr. Jaf’r, Miss Iffio, Mr. Alfago all from the Netherlands, Miss Pixy from Italy, Miss Mwano from the City of Cape Town (South Africa), and Mr. Toescat from New York. Together they represent the original movement, each adding their own accent to the expression of the ideas. In this way the style continues to undergo an explosion in growth, ensuring that future artists from other countries and cultures who join will make a definite impact on the movement.