Color Pluto

Disney, as a creator of art toys, has played a significant role in merging mainstream pop culture with the designer toy world. While traditionally known for mass-market merchandise, Disney has also ventured into the art toy and collectible vinyl scene, often collaborating with artists and brands to produce limited-edition figures that appeal to both collectors and fans of designer toys. Vinylmation (2008 - 2020) – One of Disney’s most notable art toy lines, featuring blank Mickey Mouse-shaped figures customized with different themes, characters, and designs. Many were designed by Disney artists, while some featured collaborations with external artists. Disney has worked with Medicom Toy on high-end BE@RBRICK and VCD (Vinyl Collectible Dolls) figures, often reimagining classic characters like Mickey, Donald, and Goofy in unique art styles. More recently, Disney has partnered with Pop Mart, a leader in designer blind box figures, to create stylized collectibles inspired by its iconic characters. While Disney primarily operates in the mainstream collectibles space, its influence on the art toy scene has helped bring designer toys to a wider audience, bridging the gap between mass production and artistic expression. Influenced by classic animation, graphic design, and daily life, Joe Ledbetter's art is... well... a lot of things. Light-hearted in its approach, he often combines cute and cuddly creatures with unfortunate — albeit humorous — situations. With a lean on the subversive and absurd, these scenarios are all too familiar, questioning our tendency of taking life (and ourselves) too seriously. While working as a graphic apparel artist for three years, Ledbetter got involved in the Los Angeles underground art scene, beginning with group shows like Cannibal Flower. By the summer of 2004, he had honed his trademark visual style of emblematic line-work, vibrant colors, and endearing characters to the point of quitting his day job. With international appeal, he has had numerous solo exhibitions in Los Angeles, Tokyo, London, Paris, Rome, Toronto, Taipei, Istanbul, and Amsterdam. His incredible cast of creatures have since been emblazoned on over 100 designer vinyl toys, as well as apparel and lifestyle brands, the world over.