Unique 2003 Michael Lau S.F.C.C. designer toy set x Nike x Maharishi, limited edition art toys with C21 Kriegsmachine, Hong Kong
Michael Lau
Unique 2003 Michael Lau S.F.C.C. Designer Toy Set x Nike x Maharishi, Limited Edition Art Toys with C21 Kriegsmachine, Hong Kong
Rare and unique, this 2003 limited edition S.F.C.C. (Sci-Fi Crazy Children) set is by Michael Lau, the Hong Kong artist widely called the godfather of designer toys. It was made in collaboration with Nike and the London label Maharishi. It is a complete group of cardboard-clad sci-fi characters, shown here with the original numbered boxes (21, 23, 25, 26, 28, 31 and more), each printed with the S.F.C.C. graphics and Crazysmiles branding.
The centerpiece is C21, the "Kriegsmachine." This towering mech-like figure is 38 cm (15 in) high and wrapped in camouflage cardboard patches, stickers, tape and tags, a nod to Maharishi's military-surplus and camo heritage. The smaller figures carry parcels and wear taped, tied and labeled packaging. Some sit in translucent amber cases and others roll on wheels. Together they play with the idea of packaging as a character, an idea Lau had fun with throughout the series.
Sets like this are seldom offered complete. Each figure was sold with a secret part, and the pieces could be assembled into a hidden bonus character (#30). Dealing in design since 1994, I can say that a 2003 S.F.C.C. group in this condition and presentation is very hard to find. It is a museum-worthy display for collectors of urban vinyl, streetwear history, Hong Kong pop culture and contemporary design.
Dimensions: C21 Kriegsmachine H.38 cm / 15 in. [Add the other figures' sizes, the number of pieces, condition and signatures.]
About Michael Lau
Michael Lau (劉建文, b. 1970, Hong Kong) is an artist and designer. His story began in the late 1990s, when he customized 12-inch action figures with streetwear, sneakers and tattoos, inspired by hip-hop and skate culture. His Gardener and Crazy Children series (1999 onward) turned those street-style figures into collectibles. These are widely credited with launching the urban vinyl and designer toy movement. His company Crazysmiles produced his work. His many brand collaborations include Nike, Jordan, Puma, Carhartt, Porter and Maharishi. In recent years he has returned to painting and sculpture, and his work is collected by museums and private collectors alike.
Designer toy and art toy history
Art toys grew out of Japanese sofubi (soft vinyl) kaiju figures, American vinyl and custom-toy culture, and Hong Kong's street scene in the 1990s. Lau's customized figures made toys into personal, collectible art. Medicom's Be@rbrick (2001) followed, and Kidrobot (2002) brought the movement to the West with the Dunny (2004). Artists such as Kaws, Frank Kozik and Gary Baseman followed the path he opened. Today art toys are a global collecting field and sell at major auction houses.
About Maharishi
Maharishi was founded in London in 1994 by Hardy Blechman. The label became known for its reinterpretation of military surplus, camouflage (especially its own DPM camouflage prints), organic cotton, hemp and recycled materials, as well as Asian-inspired embroidery. It pioneered the mix of army-surplus design and sustainability in streetwear. The camouflage Lau applied to the Kriegsmachine and its companions reflects this meeting of two street scenes.
All figures are in great condition and come with their own box, except C21, stickers, tape and cutter gloves, a piece of rope and their misty heads. The height of CC21 is 38cm / 14.960 inches.
These designer toys have been in storage since 2003 out of sunlight and in a smoke free environment.
The price includes insured transport.
We ship worldwide.
Pick-up by appointment only.
We are a 1stDibs Platinum 5 Star Dealer.
Michael Lau (born 1970) is an artist from Hong Kong who is known for his painting, sculpture and designer toy figures. Lau is widely credited as the founder of the urban vinyl style within the designer toy movement. His work has had a significant effect on toy manufacturers, as well as street culture, including artists and musicians, throughout the world. His style is particularly influential to Asian and American hip-hop and skateboarding culture. Lau has won several awards for his work, including four from the Hong Kong-based Philippe Charriol Foundation.
Known as the “Godfather of the Designer Toys”, Michael Lau Kin-man 劉建文 (b.1970) is an acclaimed Hong Kong artist born in the 1970s when the city was at the peak of industrialization and exported various kinds of toys to leading chain stores around the world. Every toy was a rare treasure to young Michael and played a key role in his childhood. His growing passion for toys eventually led him to a career in toy design where he conceived as a form of art.
After graduating from the First Institute of Art and Design in Hong Kong in 1992, Michael held his first solo painting exhibition at the Pao Galleries of the Hong Kong Arts Centre in the following year. In 1999, Lau merged his creativity and passion in art, toy and action figure and created the “Gardener” series that juxtaposed his favorite G.I. Joe action figures and street culture. A total of 99 12-inch action figures was featured in his solo exhibition held at the Hong Kong Arts Centre. His unique artistic expression in action figures and remarkable achievements garnered global attention and brought him the opportunity to showcase his works in different cities in Japan, the Museum of Contemporary Art in Taipei, London and Paris, leading the global trend of collectible designer toys as an independent artist.
Additionally, Michael Lau has been seen as the godfather of urban vinyl, being largely recognized as the pioneer who launched the trend in the 90s. He was prominently featured in the article “20 Trends Sweeping the Globe” by Forbes Magazine in the January 2008 issue.
In recent years, Michael Lau has returned to his roots in painting. In 2016, his painting Wall of Jordan was presented by Christie's and was auctioned off for charity for a total sum of HKD$1,375,000. Michael's practice focuses not on one particular media but rather, utilizes diverse styles and techniques that he has experimented with over the years.
At Lau's exhibition titled 'Collect them All!' at Christie's Hong Kong in 2018, with over 20 years in the creative field and as someone named as Godfather of the Designer and Art toy movement, Michael Lau has declared "All art are toys, all toys are art." As Michael believes that a meaningful collection should not be assessed based on its monetary value, but should more importantly evoke feelings of nostalgia and sentiment. A prized collection allows one to delve into memories of the past, provides consolation in times of emptiness, and enriches and elevates the spirit. Michael believes that in the eyes of the collector objects – whether they be paintings, jewelry, watches, sneakers, or furniture – have an ability to provide emotional value, in the same way that toys can provoke wonder and curiosity. Lau's further his exploration on the notion with his second 'Collect them All!' exhibition at Christie's Shanghai in 2019 following the success from the Hong Kong show.
Lau's numerous collaborations with brands such as Nike, Jordan, Puma, Carhartt, Porter and Maharishi has made him a household name amongst kids in the street scene, while his painting and sculpture works continued to be favored by art collectors local and abroad.
A collaboration took place in 2005 with Casio for a series of 1000 copies of the G-SHOCK DW-6900SA-1JF 'Michael Lau NY FAT GARDENER' which were distributed in limited quantities of 100 watches by previously chosen country, including France.