Roberto Chiocchi
Genesis
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This commission came through Roberto Chiochi, someone completely outside the Art Toy world but with such a distinctive personal aesthetic that the moment I saw him, I understood exactly why he wanted a figure of himself.
Cut-off gloves, chains, an old-fashioned suit, and very striking head tattoos.
He has that look you can’t ignore. A mix of Victorian magician, old-school illusionist and timeless character vibe.
Process
Since he already had such a defined style, my goal wasn’t simply to recreate him as he is, but to introduce a twist that placed the figure fully inside the Art Toy language.
That’s why I created a gap between the upper and lower body, making it look as if it’s floating. It wasn’t based on a deep concept, it was more an instinctive decision that appeared while sculpting and felt right for him.
For the colours, even though the reference photos showed him wearing intense tones I decided to move in the opposite direction.
I imagined the piece in monochrome, like an old photograph: whites, blacks and a range of greys with a subtle bluish tint.
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This reinforced the timeless quality of his presence while still leaving room for my personal visual language, including my facial signature.
Outcome
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When I handed him the finished piece, the first thing he said was:
“I see myself in it.”
It might sound like a small detail, but for me it was incredibly rewarding.
Sometimes a person’s essence is something others perceive more clearly than they do themselves.
The fact that he recognised it instantly meant the figure had captured exactly what it needed to.
