Andy
Our good friend Tony Shiau/Nakanari Co-Owner/ Creative Director. Born in Taiwan and moved to USA at a young age the self-taught artist Of Maihiro shows us a glimpse into his typical day.
Taiwanese Self-taught artist with a style toy creation and graffiti. Tony Shiau Nakanari was born 1979 in South Taiwan and from childhood began collecting and designing toys. It grew from one of Nakanari’s favorite hobbies to a career he wanted to pursue when he grew up. Nakanari distinct designer toys are infused with oriental style and a colorful mixture of innocence and cute characters.
“The Misfits of Nakanari was the very first toy line I came up with. I used two different characters to show contrast, just like good vs. evil.” n 2004, B.B.birdyprmier toy designer and first to launch Taiwanese designer toys, picked up Nakanari’s “Misfits of Nakanri” design for his Funny Club series. That year Nakanari also began working on the Funny Club Show. “As show director for the 2004 Funny Club Show,Nakanari has exhibited with other well knows artists like Emmy award winning “Teacher’s Pet” creator Gary Baseman, Tim Biskup, graffiti legend “Seen”, Cameron Tiede, popular toy designer MAD, sket one, Frank Koizk, Jada toy crew, x-concpet designer chito and Mattel’s Hot Wheel head designer MIQ WILLMOTT.”
His typical day at 5am at his university job being an international representative.
Food plays a big part in Tonys life, so lunch time is hang out time with his co-workers. He loves any thing from the local joint’s like Seito Sushi.
Good variety of food throughout the day.
2:30 pm off work time to hit the gym work.
Mai Hiro time fully kicks in, check emails do a little social media, follow up the commission project (does that look like Michael lau style spike?)
We asked Tony what is the one equipment you could not live without for customising and designing. One equipment he could not live without is his trusted hairdryer! Hmmm I wonder what make and model?
For a tribute to his favourite artists he has been customising Spiki’s incorporating the style of that artist on to his own platform.
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Do you recognise some of the artists? personally I cannot wait for all of them to be completed and showcased in the future.
Tony not collect art toys himself but he is one big Sneaker head! We asked him what fav sneaker that you own? Nike Free Orbit 2 design by Nathan Vanhook.
We also asked “If you have to choose one toy from your collection which one would it be? ”
What is your holy grail? Michael Lau original 1/6 maxx
10PM is lights out for Tony, ready for that early start.
“Design By Belief.” This is the Mai Hiro way…..
Right now Tony has a few releases like is Spiki Lucky Cat Lunar edition, which is available via http://www.kusovinyl.com/
More goodness from Tony via www.maihiro.net
Last year we sent out TTC supporter Natasha to do a little interview with Tony you can check it out —>HERE <—
Thank you Tony for taking time out to speak to us again and giving us a little window into your day.
Who would you like to see on the next TTC “A day in the life” from? requests below.
