Gwins

Gwins

October Toys

The Gwins are very cool 2.5” vinyl penguins designed by a variety of artists, each reflecting their own style, interests and obsessions. They are very creative little figures which come in three different series, each in limited production. Series one had 400 of each design, series two 400 and series three 200. There is also a very limited run of 150 of Glow in the Dark Gwins plus a very special Gwin named Bandwa, which was the super special edition surprise Gwin for San Diego Comic Con 2008. Only a very few are available of the Bandwa release.

The Gwin is a curious creature based on Tux, created by Larry Ewing & The GIMP. Gwins spend most of their time eating, sleeping, and hoarding treasure. They often form "armies" to protect their amassed riches. Now is your chance to build your own Gwin Army to guard your prized possessions!

The Gwins are quite unique and very collectible.

Series 2 includes 7 Gwins is has a limited run of 400 per piece. Some of the pieces which caught my attention in this series include:

Jebus

Designer: Christie

Site: bastet2329.com

Christie is a self proclaimed outside artist with a passion for Halloween, Disneyland, and Elvis. She is the creative force behind some of the most macabre dolls you've ever seen. These creepy creations coupled with the variety of unique paintings she produces set Christie apart as an amazing and versatile artist. Jebus is an amazing little figure who looks rather religious in nature with the Sacred Heart on his chest and stigmata on his hands ! Jebus sits approx. 2.5" high.

Bunny!

Designer: C. Spliedt

Site: plasticfly.com

"Although I've been pretty damn creative since I was old enough to hold a crayon, over the past five-to-six years I started to take painting, graphic design, and artwork in general, a bit more seriously." Spliedt's original designs and fantastic characters are a little dark, a little twisted, and always amazing. The Bunny Gwin is superbly dark in greys and blacks with an orange and yellow eye and rather large white teeth.

Series 3 includes five figures featuring designs by Squidboy, Jim Koch, Lou Pimentel, HideousBoi, and Bill Rawley. They sit approximately 2.5" high. Series 3 is limited to 200 pieces of each design. Some of the pieces which caught my attention in this series include:

Night of the Living Gwin

Designer: Squidboy

Site: tragicmagichead.blogspot.com

Shan Michael Evans, also known as Squidboy, is an avid artist and lover of horror movies. Having customized a variety of toys over the years, Squidboy has developed a clean, partly whimsical, partly dark style all his own to share the message that the dead will rise again. Night of the Living Gwin sits approx. 2.5" high and is limited to 200 pieces. This is a superbly evocative piece in Zombie green with the living dead in silhouette on its stomach and with black feet.

Snack Time

Designer: Lou Pimentel

Site: lou-pimentel.com

Lou Pimentel was born in Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic. When he was four his family moved to Florida for a few years before settling in to Brooklyn when he was nine. Lou began drawing at the young age of four; with his father's help he started by drawing simple little fish. When he was five he would trace comic books and as a teen his art was greatly influenced by the streets of the city. He is a self taught artist. The influence of his urban upbringing and fondness of pop-art can be seen in his work. He finds inspiration from comic books, cartoons and graffiti. He is a well rounded artist that works with paints, sewing, beading, sculpting, and other fun crafts. Currently Lou is working as an up and coming artist in Brooklyn and plans on spreading happiness and joy across the world through his art. Snack Time is a more whimsical Gwin which is colourfully presented and rather endearing.

Snack Time sits approx. 2.5" high and is limited to 200 pieces.

This review will appear in Volume 2 No.4 (2009) of the digital and print edition of Synergy Magazine.

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