Menu
The New Contemporary Art Magazine

Toma Vagner’s Dynamic, Instructional Illustrations

Russia-born, New York-based artist Toma Vagner crafts dynamic, graphic-filled illustrations. Her works seem to combine the formalism of how-to guides with dynamic staging and absorbing messaging. Or, as the artist tells us: “My inspiration comes from Japanese bubble gum wraps, IKEA manuals and Russian Constructivism.”

Russia-born, New York-based artist Toma Vagner crafts dynamic, graphic-filled illustrations. Her works seem to combine the formalism of how-to guides with dynamic staging and absorbing messaging. Or, as the artist tells us: “My inspiration comes from Japanese bubble gum wraps, IKEA manuals and Russian Constructivism.”

These motifs and messages seem both humorous and enigmatic. She often dismantles common objects—or even people—with engrossing results. In some pieces, like “Adam,” the artist subverts the usual authority of how-to guides and instead crafts a mystery out of the subject’s engagement with the device.

The artist, a graduate of the School of Visual Arts, was born in Sakhalin Island, Russia. She’s taken part in recent group shows at SVA’s Flatiron Gallery, Creativeblock Gallery in Brooklyn, and SVA Gramercy Gallery. She’s recently received the Sebastian Masuda Award and Jack Endewelt Memorial Award.

Meta
Share
Facebook
Reddit
Pinterest
Email
Related Articles
Illustrator/comic artist Jim Mahfood’s dynamic works carry both an absorbing and kinetic energy. He calls his work "visual funk: a hybrid mix of comix art, graffiti, manga, street art, and funk culture." His work is currently featured in the show “Stacking Pyramids” at Stranger Factory in Albuquerque, N.M. The show kicks off Nov. 3 and runs through Nov. 26.
Italian born, Ontario based artist Toni Hamel describes her work as "an illustrated commentary on human frailties". Working with oil and latex on canvas as her preferred medium, Hamel's subdued illustrations draw from her personal experience and observations of life in Canada. In her most recent series, "Land of Id", she makes subtle commentary about how we treat and misuse our environment and the effects of our actions. The series portrays both good and bad interactions such as deforestation, narwhal hunting, and Arbour Day, a holiday in which individuals and groups are encouraged to plant and care for trees.
In a 200 year old building in Mexico City’s central historic district, illustrator, graphic designer and street artist Smithe brings to life scenes from another world. Downstairs from his studio, there is a cantina that still houses a bullet fired from Mexican revolutionary Pancho Villa’s gun. The street outside is on the route of the city’s largest civic demonstrations, which regularly block traffic to the area. Some 20 million people live their lives in the near vicinity. When Hi-Fructose visited his studio and showroom for the Tony Delfino clothing line, for which Smithe serves as creative director, the 26-year-old artist said his work is meant as an antidote, albeit temporary, to this urban madness.
New York-based artist Yohei Horishita creates digital illustrations with a textured effect that evokes traditional painting. His work is ornate and figurative, juxtaposing human characters with imaginary settings that seem to belong to no particular time or place. Flowers and feathers consume his backgrounds, cultivating a fantasy space removed from our contemporary reality. While Horishita does extensive client work, his pieces have a distinct style that allows them to stand alone.

Subscribe to the Hi-Fructose Mailing List