Of late, ToyCyte (and specifically me) has been pondering the prices of Huck Gee. But we’re not alone. Since the San Francisco-based artist began dropping $800 figures, people have been talking–on forums and across continents. Is there a ceiling to what can be charged for art toys? Should there be? If toys are art, why shouldn’t the artist be able to get paid what the market will bear? Didn’t Damien Hirst get $100 million (cash) for his diamond-encrusted skull?
So many questions and so many different answers. Someone said, why single out Huck for speculation when Kaws’ work sells for the same if not more? Someone else said, art should be attainable, particularly so-called urban or outsider art. For many outsiders and city-dwellers, $800 pays half a month of rent. Getting caught up in all this, it managed to escape me that artists are also living in cities–and being an artist (at least in the USA) most likely means forgoing things like health insurance, job security, and reliable income.
Rather than write another post on Huck Gee’s customs with a snarky title or a hypothetical question, I decided to just ask him, as respectfully as possible, why $800? His answer made me think about things from a different perspective (ie. not just my own). Also, the fact that he was really very open and forthcoming in his response renewed my spirit in toy journalism.
Huck reminded me that he didn’t start his prices at $800. That pricetag is the culmination of experience, artistic growth, detailed work and demand for his pieces by an expanding fanbase.
“I’ve only recently begun toying around with new elements, new materials, more accessories, more details, so the price has recently gone up accordingly,” said Huck. “For example, there are elements to my most recent figures that nobody will ever see, like the fact he is covered from head to toe in tiger stripes, full body, arms, legs, etc. It doesn’t really show in the photos but there is actually several shades of white/grey on his face/body. The tail is cast and mounted permanently and I went through four different molds before I got those claws cast correctly.”
Huck is aware of the business of supply and demand. If this was almost anything other than an art toy that was selling out in under 10 seconds, everyone would say raise the price and capitalize on the demand. So when Huck Gee sells ten $800 pieces of art in 8 seconds, why do people get tense about the prices? I think it has something to do with the culture of toy collecting. It sprouted from a small community and has since seen huge growth. Fans are frustrated by escalating asking prices that leave them unable to collect. Simultaneously–and this exists in all forms of art–artists may be accused of selling out. Make a series of mass-produced mini-figures and the artist gets a ton of crap. Make a couple high-cost customs and people cry foul. For better or worse, complaining is another huge part of toy culture.
Huck knows $800 isn’t the limit. He has many ideas and big projects forthcoming. “My prices will probably continue to go up to meet demand somewhat, but nothing I consider unreasonable,” he says. “If I want to buy a home someday, build my career, expand my studio, take on bigger more involved projects, then I will continue to push the envelope and raise my prices accordingly.”
That said, I asked Huck if there’d ever be a Huck Gee Economy Line. He said he’s thought about it. He’d love to get something more affordable into collector’s hands, but the difficulty is in scaling back the details. Going smaller doesn’t mean cheaper or easier, however. “Sewing, masking, making accessories on such a smaller scale may even be more time consuming = more expensive, ” said Huck. And as someone working on my first 2.5-inch Qee customs, I hear that. He said he does try to hit all the bases with production figures and bootlegs, of which he says there’s “a bunch more coming soon.”
If you’re interested in one of the ultra-limited figures, the latest Legendary Golden Claw dropped at 12 noon today and disappeared before you could say the word “sellout.” Stay tuned to ToyCyte for a head’s up on the next Huck Gee custom. Thanks to Huck for being such a good sport about some tough questions!
August 15th, 2008 at 6:05 pm
Great interview, and great to see someone setting aside their misgivings and just going for the straight-dope from the source.
I can’t afford to be a Huck collector, but that doesn’t stop me from appreciating his work and being grateful that we’re living in a time where someone as specialized as a toy artist can make a living for themselves with their talent and hard work.
Helluva time to be a toy lover.
August 18th, 2008 at 1:08 am
If Huck wants to set that price, then Huck can set the price, he is the artist, he knows more than anyone what his creations are worth! More power to the artist (holds fist up!).
Charging ‘high-art’ prices for ‘lowbrow-art’ creations is nothing new I guess, it has existed for decades, maybe almost a century in modern art. Warhol mastered the art of it, Banksy conquered the concept, Takeshi Murakami has blurred those boundaries, and all of these artists have a legacy, a true art talent and a market for their creations. It shouldn’t be seen as ’selling out’ if an artist aims to make some dough to buy a house, take a trip, get some new sneakers or whatever they want. No-one ever denies musicians their riches, so why question other artists wanting to fill their wallet and be able to enjoy what they do?
How come no-one ever asked Damien Hirst to create a bunch of more affordable creations for collectors? Because he’s an artist, like Huck Gee and Kaws. They’re not a factory producing endless imitations of products to go on the shelves of Woolworths and Toys R’Us. These guys have worked incredibly hard to get their names and their art out there, let’s support them in getting their dues.
Great piece Mr.Brautman, and a refreshing approach, don’t push an opinion on people, just ask the source straight! And thanks to Huck for the straight answers!
August 21st, 2008 at 11:35 pm
There are always rich people with way too much money that they do not know what to do with. There are always poor people who worry about how to pay for their next meal. Some artists make art to entertain the rich. Some artists make art to raise the spirit of the poor. In between the extremes, we have middle-class people with middle-class needs and middle-class demands. Is $800 too much? For the rich, probably not. For the poor, yes. For those in the middle, who knows (probably yes).