In Drenthe, Iceland and China they have been familiar with the colorful regions of the Toyists for much longer. But Groningen was still a white spot for the international art movement from Drenthe. And that was a bit bothering founder Dejo, especially because the founder of the Toyists has been living there for years. But that is now changing. Because the masked artists’ group can show its striking colorful and playful arts on a large wall.
For Dejo, this project in the city of Groningen is ‘extra special’, he admits immediately. Because despite much larger paintings in China and in Iceland, the Drent also feels a Stadjer, since he has been living in Groningen since 2017.
The wall that they can now paint is practical around him. “I live here 150 meters away. Beautiful, I can walk there in no time, and I often come by. It is really at a visual location. You can hardly ignore this wall painting if you drive across the Hereweg. For us a nice business card.”
The toyists make the artwork in the context of the Groningen project Street Art Zuid. The wall they can fill is thirteen in four and a half meters, and is the side of an old mansion on the corner of the Hereweg with Vechtstraat. “Quite a challenge, this brick wall with joints. So with bumps and bumps. We usually work on smooth surfaces, and with our clean lines around our figures, that is quite a job.”
With six toyists, from their own country, China, Romania, Germany and Australia, they have been working in turn for a month on the colorful fantasy story, entitled ‘The Theater of the Droom’. And as always, colorful fantasy figures and playful animals play a leading role, all of which have to come to a new symphony, through collaboration. The unveiling will follow in mid -October if everything goes according to plan.
For passers -by, the colorful scene in the Groningen Rivierenbuurt will remain enigmatic for the time being. The artists work hidden behind a large white canvas, which is draped around the scaffolding. Nobody is allowed to look inside, not even for a quick look. Except for the media, for a sneak preview. “It must remain a surprise to the unveiling, especially for the neighborhood. That way it stays exciting until the end,” says Dejo from behind his colorful mask.
While the dream project is still being painted, Dejo is already dreaming of new big plans. For example, he would love to exhibit with the Toyists again in one of the two regional museums, or the Drents Museum or the Groninger Museum. “We have been working all over the world for more than thirty years, have already exhibited our works in a prominent museum in Beijing in China, then it must also be possible in our own region.”