UNBOXING ART TOYS

An exhibition at TCDC sees local artists blending Thai culture and stories into collectable figures

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Since art toys have become popular, the market has grown significantly. According to the Department of Business Development, Ministry of Commerce, art toys have become popular since “kidult” collectors, with high purchasing power, look for toys to fulfil their childhood desires. In 2023, the art toy market generated a total revenue of 19.7 billion baht and a profit of 468 million baht.

To boost the Thai art toy industry, Thailand Creative & Design Center (TCDC) under the Creative Economy Agency (CEA), organised the exhibition “Unbox Thai Art Toys”, which provided opportunity to 35 Thai artists, designers and creators to showcase their work. These 35 creators were selected from a total of 60 who submitted their work to the CEA.

Lerchart Thamtheerasathian, the director of the Department of Knowledge Development of CEA, explained that the CEA is interested in creators who create art toys inspired by local heritage.

“We seek creators who incorporate Thai elements into their work. One creator made a character inspired by Lady Mo, or Thao Suranari, the heroine of Nakhon Ratchasima. The Lady Mo art toy character will help the young generation learn of her heroism. There are many local stories that can be told through art toys. Besides art toys inspired by local culture, some were selected because they tell a unique story that people can connect to,” explained Lerchart.

Bennovo Studio was founded by interior designers Eakasit Chankong and Vissarut Suebprasit who are figurine and comic collectors. Their first character, Mama Kaka, is an old lady who wears a bright outfit, has colourful flowers in her hair and a small yellow monster perches on her head. Bennovo Studio also has two other characters: The Boy, who represents ordinary people; and Corgino, inspired by their pet corgi.

Vissarut explained that the idea of Mama Kaka came when his mother had to undergo surgery and he realised that everyone grows old and gets sick.