Lil' Jefe (black)

Self-produced art toys are designer collectibles created and manufactured independently by the artist or small teams without the backing of a large toy company or mass-market brand. These toys are often highly personal, artistic expressions and are usually made in limited runs. Key Characteristics include independent creation where the artist is in control of the entire process from concept, sculpting, and painting to production and packaging. These are usually made in small batches, often 10–100 pieces, which adds to their rarity, made using materials like resin, sofubi (Japanese soft vinyl), or 3D-printed components. Daniel Yu, also known as Dory, is a Singapore-based artist and toy designer renowned for his hand-sculpted, horror-inspired, and folklore-infused designer toys. His work is deeply influenced by mythology, history, and pop culture, blending elements of Asian folklore, sci-fi, horror, and street art aesthetics to create distinctive characters and figures. Unlike many toy designers who rely on digital sculpting, Daniel Yu hand-sculpts his figures using traditional techniques, giving them a raw, organic quality. His characters often feature grotesque, weathered textures, detailed wrinkles, and exaggerated facial features, evoking horror, mythology, and fantasy themes. Many of his works draw inspiration from Asian folklore and traditional warrior motifs, such as the Jiangshi (Chinese hopping vampire) and ancient terracotta warriors.