Portrait #8: Maria & Ilya

This week we have a special interview since it comes from Russia. A nice couple in love with Toyz makes us see all the colors!

When did you start collecting Artoyz?

My husband Ilya and I started collecting Artoyz 7 years ago. We first started buying toys, "figures" and Cinema statuettes. In Russia the distribution of toys is underdeveloped. There are a few stores where you can buy film characters and comics, because they are popular, but art Toys do not interest anyone. This is why we did not know them 7 years ago.

It was after a trip to France that we were seriously interested in art Toys. We saw it for the first time in the Artoyz store.

What is the first Artoyz you bought?

We then returned to Paris for holidays with friends, and visited shops that sell figurines and comics (such as album and Pulp's). We bought action Figures 1/6 and film statues.

We went to Citadium, where we saw the Artoyz store, and immediately we bought a few Munny Zipper sweater. The next day, we returned to it and bought a pile of Dunny. We also bought some vinylations in Disneyland Paris. From this moment, our collection of vinyltoys has really started and from our collection has grown well!

These figurines being very "photogenic", my husband Ilya and I love photographing them. It has become a hobby.

I take minimalist photos on Instagram and Ilya, on the contrary, creates in her photos real stories.

Ilya has carried out a project called "Dunny-Mardi" : During a year, every Tuesday, he published a photo of a few Dunny in his blog. I find that his photos are superb.

I find it sad that art Toys only interest few people in Russia. To promote this type of collector's objects we have published a book on art Toys. It was a limited draw, all the copies of which have been bought by Russian collectors who already know the subject well.

What is your top 3?

This is a very difficult question because I like most of them. But if I can choose only three, then it will be:

Kosplay - Black and White: Ilya offered me these figurines for my birthday. He asked Ajee to sign the congratulating card, and she made me a magnificent drawing. This gift is doubly expensive in my eyes.

Nimbus Fullfill Version: It is an incredibly cute dog. Even those who are indifferent to art Toys always expect when seeing it.

And in 3rd I like the series of figurines of designer Russian Sergey Safonov - Moon Wanderers. They are very cute characters, each of them has a story and I think it is very important for all art Toys.

Find Maria on his Blog / Instagram

There is on his Blog / Instagram / Flick

If you too want to be part of our interviews, send the answers to the three questions as well as one (or more) photos of your collection at this address: lucie@old.artoyz.com.

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