@Rich , I just want to say thank you for keeping things honest. This whole Unoblab/Tan stuff is a lot to take in, but it's really great to see that you're doing your best to not only keep us informed, but also to keep any shadiness out of your own business. As for me, I'm really saddened to hear that sculptors aren't being credited, collaborators are backstabbing each other, etc... all over a hobby that's supposed to be fun. I guess that's what happens when money becomes more important than your craft. I had absolutely no idea that PigPigMan wasn't sculpted by Tan himself. I see so many toys being released by more established artists, and they give profuse thanks on IG to their sculptors. Either that, or they link the sculptor in every release. Also, makers withholding releases for spite, selling blanks for $555 just because they know people will pay up... just insane. I'll just stick to collecting my "uncool" toys, I think.
I had no idea anyone else BUT Tan was responsible for pigpigman. The fact he didn't offer ANY credit, regardless of whether or not he feels "he did much work", is morally disgusting. If I knew the other artist I would have followed them and maybe bought some of their toys, but instead this guy stays in the dark. That's a really, REALLY shitty thing to do.
Not calling anyone out but wasn't co.oc helping with the pigpigman sculpt? I remember seeing it on his ig feed before it was released?
That explains why I love pigpigman so much. I really like co.oc29's work, but I have a genuine fear of frogs
It's Chen's sculpt, all around. There was an instance when Tan revealed the vinyl pulls for PigPigMan and I complimented Chen on his sculpting. Tan DM'd me and asked me to remove my comment. I didn't understand at the time, but complied, since even Chen hadn't credited himself for the sculpt. So I figured maybe it was part of the terms? Only recently did I speak with Chen directly and he revealed it was his sculpt and was essentially "stolen" by Tan, hence their falling out.
And I guess that's why the all Tan's new work has been tagged with '#sculpted by #Tan' for making sure people think that the original pigman was sculpted by him too. Been talked to some famous Chinese artists most of them were very pissed that Tan 'stole' Chen's work, not only he didn't give any credits to him but also not a single pigman toy (even the blank) was given to Chen as a gift for the thanks, I am not sure did he paid Chen for any of the sculpt work or not but that is the story I heard from one very famous Chinese toy maker. He also told me that Telebobo was a original character for his T-shirt design and Tan saw it and it is about 2 years ago? For this I don't have any proofs so I will not say this is 100% true, and of course the rumour about the 'Made in Japan' things too...... but if you check Chen's IG you will see he posted and talked about the pigman for it's working progress.
At this point, are we even 100% confident he sculpted the Mimi Monster? Because if he didn't....FUCK.
I was also very curious about this too since Pigman and Telebobo were both sure that is not sculpted by him, I asked many people around him in the community and very sad the answers is not, but some very best Toy design we have these day the sculptor might not be the designer himself.....so............ Since his new toy has been all tagged as sculpted by him so we either trust him then buy his toys or just stay away from it. But for me - NO
It's a very confusing situation. I'm talking to both Tan and JC. As far as Tan is concerned telebobo is his original creation also and he gave it to Uno to sell because of his good English. They were best friends and worked together. Than along the way someone wanted more control it seems. uno says the opposite. As for as the blanks that uno (JC) sold, he says it was because he only sold a few and that it's not gonna happen often. It's getting to the point we're it's going to be a he said she said type deal where no one is fully telling the truth. Yikes
All I have to say is I pride myself on my bullshit detector and it is going off left, right and center. Here's what I'm seeing: - Tan's toys are overpriced - He over-produced the mimi monster. Someone told me it's because Chinese factories require much larger initial runs instead of high quality multiple pours from Japan. That would be fine IF HE DIDN'T CARVE "MADE IN JAPAN" INTO THE BOTTOM OF THE MIMI MONSTER. - He didn't sculpt, fully or partially, pigpigman - He didn't give credit to the original pigpigman sculptor, whether it be full or partial - He asked people to delete their comments when giving credit to the original sculptor, so clearly he's trying to hide that - Rumored to be holding back already paid for Telebobos as a negotiating tactic, which if true I hope gets him banned from PayPal - We don't even know if he made the mimi monster Most of these individually (I'll admit pricing is totally subjective) are and should be deal breakers for every single toy collector, collaborative artist, gallery exhibitor, etc. If they're all true, may he fuck off into toy ignominy forever.
Both sound like they are being dickheads about it.. "only a few"? What a lame excuse. Bad day for the community but it was bound to blow up sooner or later with this new group of overpriced toy makers.
Yeah, if the other dude from Unoblab was the one charging $555 for a secret blank run, I don't think we're losing a Hell of a whole lot kicking both of these guys to the curb. We're FANS, not breathing ATMs.
This is all some pretty crazy information. I probably wont be buying anything anymore from Tan ever again if this is all true. My first PigPig Man will be the last if this is the case.
Apparently co.oc said he's going to share his experience with the Pigpigman and Tan now that all of this controversy has come to light... looks like the story is far from over.
Lots of speculation going on, Mimi isn't made in Japan, Tan didn't pay Chen, Tan didn't design these toys, and it's kind of bothering this gossip is being taken as truth. When I first met Tan, he asked me to paint Mimis, and he was pretty much a gushing fan, telling me how much he loved Cadaver Twins and how they inspired him, and I could see that in his Mimi. He was always a super nice dude to me, he gifted me mimis and pigmans. And sent me dozens and dozens of messages pretty much just being a stoked toy collector. I knew Chen sculpted the pigman and for whatever reason Tan didn't want it known. But truthfully I didn't think much of it, many Japanese brands don't acknowledge or credit the sculptor, to them their idea is all that matters and unless the sculptor is going to generate hype for them, they don't discuss it. If it's Tan's ideas, he hired a sculptor, dozens of guys do that. Tan is a gifted painter, really the most impressive of the Chinese wave, and he is actually sitting on 15 Cadaver Twins, so I would very much love to see what he does with them and have this whole situation resolved and all toys delivered. In my mind it takes 2 to tango, and while Tan may not be innocent I can guarantee he's not solely forcing a $500 price point. And that is never a model I would follow, but whatever. Not my place to tell them how many figures to make or what to price.
I'm not at all denying or sayin' Tan isn't a good dude. He's a legitimate collector, and I've always personally had pleasant dealings and conversations with him. But it's seeming to come out just a bit more and more that him as a fan/artist/collector is far on the opposite spectrum of him as a businessman. I'm still excited for what he does with the Cadaver Twins, and now, the Winged Freak DX's, 'cause he is a gnarly painter. I'm only speakin' on what I know and have been told directly, and as it stands, he's got quite a bit to answer for and explain, as does his Unoblab partner.
If all you have to contribute is even MORE opionated speculation, why even bother? "Gushing fan", "stoked toy collector", yeah right; 'member gushing fan & stoked toy collector "eloco"? And sorry for everybody that got pulled into this scam, but this shit is all kinds of hilarious. If this crap is indeed being made in China, how much do they actually cost per figure? I'm guessing about $3.50? Only five pages in and total drama meltdown already - that's gotta be a new record.
This shit cracks me up! I got no idea who the fuck Tan or Uno (or even oc.oc29) are what the fuck the toys look like and can't be bothered mentally untangling the 5 page clusterfuck but with the big money that hype-chasing asshats are throwing around for new toys (whether or not you try justify it because 'it speaks to you on a deeper creative level' or some other hippy-drippy bullshit) I can see this becoming a regular occurrence. When toys were changing hands for $50-100 it was no big deal. Now that's got to $500-1000+ it's way more attractive for the chancers and scumbags (you see what I did there). Don't believe the hype! Suckerzzzzzzzzzzzzz!
Hah, two years ago when people were unloading their standard size "non-hype" figs for $50... I nabbed a lot of good stuff. Honestly though, I feel like this price gouging of new releases by these moneygrubbers is affecting the prices people are willing to pay for older stuff. Seeing a lot of older stuff going for ridiculous prices on the Bay. It sucks all around!