Mark Gee (born May 19, 1973, in Newcastle upon Tyne, England), better known professionally as Huck Gee, is a contemporary artist, illustrator, toy maker, and designer best known by toy enthusiasts for his iconic "Skullhead" character. Since the early 1990s he works and lives in San Francisco, California.
Huck Gee | |
|---|---|
| Born | 19 May 1973 Newcastle upon Tyne, England |
| Website | huckgee |
Work
editInfluenced by the Japanese Edo period and Hong Kong pop art, Huck creates illustrations and custom figures and has released production toys through Kidrobot[1] including figures for The Standard and DJ Qbert. In 2005, Huck Gee released the "Skullhead Project", a joint venture between Kidrobot and Barneys New York in conjunction with five top fashion designers: Marc Jacobs, Jil Sander, Dries van Noten, Rick Owens, and Duckie Brown. With this project, each designer would reproduce their 2005 Spring collections, and dress them with immaculate detail on 12" figures of Huck's Skullhead character.[2]
In October 2007, Gee's second original character, "Akuma Bomb" was released.[3] In the winter of 2007, three Kidrobot toys were accepted into the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York City, including a "Hello My Name Is" 8" Dunny figure, designed by Gee in collaboration with Paul Budnitz and Tristan Eaton.[4] Huck has also consigned several pieces for one of the world's leading fine art auction houses at Christie's.
In the Fall of 2009 Huck participated in the 35th Anniversary celebration for Hello Kitty called Three Apples hosted by Sanrio. Three Apples was a three-week long multifaceted convention and exhibition celebrating all things Hello Kitty.
In 2010, Huck collaborated with rally racer and co-founder of DC shoes, Ken Block. A version of Huck's famous Skullhead was designed as a logo for Block's Monster World Rally Team WRC entitled "Blockhead". The logo shows Ken's number "43″ implanted on the forehead of a square stylized skull.[5] In the Spring of 2010, the creators at United Front Games asked Huck to feature in an "Artist Spotlight" for the game ModNation Racers.[6]
Huck's toys have been photographed and published in numerous books dedicated to the hobby of vinyl toy collection and appreciation. Dot Dot Dash: Designer Toys, Action Figures, and Character Art (by Robert Klanten & Matthias Hubner) in 2006. I Am Plastic (by Paul Budnitz) also in 2006. Toy Giants (by Daniel & Geo Fuchs) in 2007. Flux: Designer Toys (by Shawn Wright) in 2010. I Am Plastic Too (by Paul Budnitz) also in 2010.
In 2014 Huck participated in the "This is Not a Toy" exhibit at the Design Exchange Museum Canada in Toronto, ON. It was the first major exhibit of designer urban toys in the world and guest curated by Pharrell Williams. Huck's work can be found in the editorial companion to the exhibit, titled by the same name, "This is Not a Toy."
In June 2015, Huck revealed that he had severed ties with Kidrobot and was producing his own toy platform called "The Blank."[7] By 2017, Huck Gee Inc. ceased operations and released its final self-produced figure.[8]
On August 27, 2024, Huck Gee launched a new Kickstarter called The Worlds of Huck Gee: Skullhead, Gold Life & Beyond. This project received 100% of its funding goal in less than 20 minutes.
Collaboration with Gorillaz
editHuck Gee has made significant contributions to the world of music and art through his work with the virtual band Gorillaz. This partnership began in the early 2000s when Gee, known for his unique designer toys, was approached to work on exclusive collectible figures based on the band's characters. These figures, designed in collaboration with Gorillaz co-creator Jamie Hewlett, were first released in 2005 and quickly became highly coveted items among music fans and toy collectors alike.
In 2020, Gee re-engaged with the Gorillaz universe through a partnership with Superplastic, where he played a pivotal role in designing a new series of vinyl figures featuring the band members, including a 12-inch figure of the lead singer 2D. This was the first Gorillaz toy release in over a decade, marking a significant moment in the band's merchandise history. The collaboration continued with additional figures, including the "GEEP" and the "Astronaut 2D" series, each bringing a fresh artistic interpretation to the beloved virtual characters. [9]
Co-founding Superplastic
editIn 2018, Huck Gee co-founded Superplastic alongside Paul Budnitz, with the vision of blending physical designer toys with digital artwork and pop culture influences. Superplastic has since emerged as a leader in the luxury art toy market, known for its innovative designs and collaborations with major pop icons like The Weeknd and Post Malone.
Gee was instrumental in creating Superplastic's flagship characters, "Janky" and "Guggimon," which have become synonymous with the brand itself. His work has pushed the boundaries of traditional toy making, incorporating digital art and multimedia into the creation process. Superplastic is also known for its limited-edition collectibles, which frequently sell out, underscoring Gee's influence in making designer toys a prominent aspect of contemporary art culture. [10]
References
edit- ^ Wilonsky, Robert (31 July 2009). "Last Night, Mockingbird Station Was Overrun With Fanboys and Fortune Seekers". Unfair Park. Dallas Observer.
- ^ "Toys Meet Fashion". Vinyl Pulse. June 2005.
- ^ "Toy of the Week - Akuma Bomb by Huck Gee". Vinyl Pulse. September 2007.
- ^ "Online Catalogue". Museum of Modern Art.
- ^ Coursey, Scott (25 February 2010). "Huck Gee x DC Shoes Ken Block Collection Sneak Peek". RallyBuzz. Archived from the original on 7 September 2012. Retrieved 8 September 2010.
- ^ "ModNation Artist Spotlight: Toy Designer Huck Gee brings his "Art" to Life – PlayStation Blog". PlayStation.Blog. 10 May 2010. Retrieved 8 September 2010.
- ^ O'Brien, Miranda (June 2015). "Oh, Gee!". Clutter. No. 27. Beacon, NY: Clutter Media Group. pp. 33–34. Retrieved 7 March 2018.
- ^ "Thank You The Blank Resin Figure by Huck Gee". www.theblotsays.com. Retrieved 6 November 2018.
- ^ "Superplastic x Gorillaz". www.superplastic.co. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
- ^ "Huck Gee Back at Superplastic". www.thetoychronicle.com. Retrieved 27 August 2024.