It is not the first time that work of the Toyists can be seen in China. Earlier a wall Art District 798 Printed with a print of the artists’ company. It can still be seen there. “A great honor,” says Dejo. “Art District 798 is the Walhalla for me. It is an old factory complex where there are now galleries, museums and artists, but also bars and restaurants. The atmosphere that breathes is fantastic.”
The print stays in total for a total of two years. That is also quite unique according to Dejo, because normally exhibitions are already replaced after about two weeks. “It also indicates how they see us,” he says. Because according to him, this exception is made because the work of the Toyists is seen as a kind of harbinger to attract other international artists.
So it seems that the toyists in China have gained a firm foot. This is largely due to the artist ‘Clamaoing’. She is Dejo’s girlfriend and also toyist. That is why she also operates under a pseudonym. Clamaoing is Chinese. “Without her this would not have been possible. You need people who know the inputs and speak the language. And thanks to her I can also contribute again,” says Dejo.
The connection with the Sunshine International Art Museum was made during a lecture that Dejo gave to academics, artists and museum directors. “Via Via the director of the museum came in contact with us and we received an invitation. He thought that Toyism would fit well with his philosophy for the museum.” The museum does a lot with contemporary art. It primarily offers a stage to large Chinese names, but wants to become more international, according to Dejo. “They are already doing business with Paris and New York and now also with the Netherlands.”
Dejo himself also travels to China on 8 May. The exhibition starts on May 20. He hopes that the exhibition in the Sunshine International Art Museum will lead to more. “Everything that is added is extra. Customs are arranged for the works to stay in China for a year anyway,” he hints on a transit along several Chinese museums.