UPSO Brings the Noise to Kid Robot NYC
Kid Robot was the place to be Thursday night, as vinyl and art fans crammed into Kid Robot’s Soho location to see the lastest work by Dustin Hostetler, better known as UPSO. The man was really cool, signing anything anyone gave him, including dozens of his Series 2 Dunny, which he admits is not very indicative of his present work (it was also the first Dunny with facial features on the ears).
Speaking of new art, UPSO had a slew of framed prints for sale around the perimeter of the room, but all coversation was on the six custom Munnys and the massive custom Dunny in the front display case. While the 20-incher commanded a whopping $1,000, the minimalist Munnys were super affordable and flew out the door. Three of the Munnys depicted the mustachioed madman, which has become UPSO’s signature character (it’s also a pseudo-self portrait, according to the artist). The custom jobs were done using a secret print-transfer method that UPSO said is nearly-perfected. The customs are then super-sealed giving them an almost brush-stroke painted look.
It was interesting to note that while some people were waiting to meet UPSO (who sports some terrific graffiti ink), others were stopping by to pick up the latest 8″ Dunny, and were surprised to be greeted by a peaceful mob, free beer, and television cameras. Crazy.
[...] Your Kid Robot New York show was very well received. What feelings did you have going into it and what did you think of the turnout? I was really excited. It was my first solo show in NYC, and so of course I was nervous. Kid Robot is such a cool place to show your work, as the vibe there is so poppy and fun with the toys on display, that it was hard not to have a good time. I sold a good chunk of my work, and I really of course feel great about that too. I really hope I can show again in NYC soon, and if given the chance id show at one of the other KR stores in a heart beat. [...]