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Toby Leon's surreal collage art is a blend of myth and reality — full of whimsy, opulence and exuberance. Driven by an unquenchable thirst for the novel and unexplored. Where history shimmers like a mirage and reality bends like a fun-house mirror. Each piece a sumptuous visual feast, blending copyright-free museum treasures into digital dreamscapes that defy the boundaries of time and truth. Leon's Photoshop alchemy transmutes disparate elements into a kitsch mythology. A tapestry woven from threads of fact and fantasy. His art is a rebellion against the tyranny of linear narratives, queering the past and future into a delicious paradox of authenticity and invention. With every cut and paste, Leon challenges our subscribed fictions, inviting viewers to question the very fabric of their perceived realities. These collages are not mere assemblages but portals to infinite possibilities, where opulence dances with whimsy and exuberance cavorts with myth. Leon's work is a testament to the fluidity of truth, a visual manifesto that celebrates the ever-evolving nature of history and memory. Each piece is a universe unto itself, simultaneously grounded in historical artifacts yet soaring beyond the constraints of time, offering a tantalizing glimpse into a world where the surreal is simply a matter of perspective.

FAQs

About this collection

We imagine history into existence every day. Shaping the world around us as we go. And I remake histories with every piece. From a motley crew of tales tall and true. A melange of sweet and sour myths, signs and symbols. Cut from copyright free museums all over the world then pasted into Photoshop where I alchemise the lot. Until everyone and everything is ripe enough for my kitsch mythology.

Don’t get the cotton candy twisted. Every piece I create is true. Sourced from truth and grounded by it. But never real, mythologically speaking. Even though reality's a fiction, too. Just the one we're all subscribed to, which doesn’t make it untrue. That's the thing about the truth. Or the past. We know they move in both directions. Myriad, in fact. Never sitting still or doing as they’re told. Forever questioned, dissected, reframed and upended. Queered and inverted. Packaged and performed. Told, retold, adapted then sold. Evolving like everything else. Which is why I like to think my art exists outside of time. Reaching for infinity instead of reality. A kaleidoscope of mish-mashed truths that are only ever as surreal as we choose to make them...

Toby Leon

How do you approach overcoming creative blocks or self-doubt in your artistic journey?

There’s only one rule for dealing with creative blocks: just try. Try again. Try something new. Then try again. Yes, really, try again. And try to be the kind of friend to yourself that you’d be for someone else… as best you can.

As for what creative blocks are in the first place, they’re catharsis in disguise. The friction that will (eventually) force us to change if we don’t heed its sweeter invitations. Only blocking us if we keep denying the inevitable. So find creative outlets that work for you now, which may or may not be making art. Lean into the discomfort of not knowing. Don’t worry if things that used to fuel you don’t anymore. That’s one of the creative block’s greatest tricks. Convincing us change is a sign that things are falling apart or not worth bothering with. But I say, those signs you think spell doom are actually invitations to evolve… if you flip them upside down and turn them inside out, that is.

Can you describe the overarching themes or messages that you explore in your artwork?

Cross-cultural connections, unanswered questions, overlapping histories where the aperture widens and possibilities emerge from the margins. Nothing’s so easily defined in my work, because history hasn’t settled on an answer to many of the questions that pique my interest. Or the ‘answers’ need unpacking. Reimagining, at least. Feeding into my love of liminal spaces. Often found in those haphazard gaps between childhood and adulthood, which I furnish with reckless abandon. Or the static electricity of queer tales omitted from history’s ‘greatest hits’. And last but not least, old faithful AKA those peculiar jolts between fine art and postmodern trash. That shock and awe blend of camp, kitsch and just plain tacky always draws me in. Reminding me how chintzy classicism’s been from the beginning. 

Can you share any insights or advice for emerging visual artists who are just starting their creative journey?

You own your evolution by actively seeking feedback. My approach has always been gung-ho, but you can build up the tolerance over time. And in my experience… it’s how people get ahead fastest, because it’s learning and networking in one. Besides, there’s so much talent out there. So when you think about what distinguishes people who make impact or kick goals or whatever you want to call it… it’s not always talent, is it? Which is why feedback matters so much. So start small and ask early. Build up the strength ’til you can approach people whose reaction makes you nervous. Until you can hear criticism and not take it personally, because you asked someone about art, which is subjective, even if it’s yours. Beyond all that, so many great opportunities happen for people who keep turning up, going the extra mile and showing how much they care by asking for feedback AKA my 1-2-trifecta for getting yourself taken seriously.

How do you handle criticism or feedback on your artwork?

It’s a discomfort that’s been vital for me. My work is intentionally offensive to good taste, because I don’t see a distinction between fine art and lowbrow besides taste. Many do, of course, and my art is clearly not for everyone. Never imagined it would be. Which has often given me a feeling of comfort, funnily enough. The hardest part’s over before it’s begun — I know I’m not for everyone. And I get as much value from people who love what I do as those who don’t much care. Both tell versions of the truth about my work that I may not have noticed otherwise. So lean into the discomfort, I say. Ask broadly and ask often. It gets easier the more you do it. Until eventually, you crave it.

How do you know when a piece of artwork is complete?

I hope nothing’s ever truly complete, because that’s a dead end bore. As for when it’s time to step back from a piece and share it, I try not to force a resolution. I find the work suffers when I do. These days, when I hit a wall, I pivot. Nothing fancy — I clean, go for a walk, escape into film, stretch — anything that distracts me long enough to come at the same piece again with fresh eyes. Sometimes walking away is the only route to seeing your work clearly.

Where can my order ship to?

Any treasure you find here can be shipped to:

North America

Canada, Mexico, Continental United States

South America

Argentina, Brazil

Europe

Albania, Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Faroe Islands, Finland, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Greenland, Guernsey, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Isle of Man, Italy, Jersey, Kosovo, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Vatican City

Middle East & Asia

Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Lebanon, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Türkiye, United Arab Emirates, Vietnam

Africa

South Africa

Oceania

Australia, New Zealand

Every order tracked so you can watch your treasure move from A to B to You.

Sent carbon neutral at no extra charge. Helping you gain peace of mind your money's being kind.

Orders to the rest of the world are coming as soon as I can!

How much will shipping cost?

Free shipping for orders over $50

$5-10 shipping for orders less than $50

When will my order arrive?

Average order processing: 

1-4 days. Over 65% of orders get shipped in 72hr and over 90% in 5 business days or less.

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Average shipping times:

USA: 2-5 days — Canada: 3-8 days — UK: 2-5 days — Europe: 3-6 days — Australia: 2-5 days — New Zealand: 3-8 days — Rest of the world: 2-4 weeks

Can I return my order?

1. You're welcome to open a return / exchange request within 30 days of your order's delivery. All items for return must be delivered back in their original condition, with their original packaging included.

2. No guarantees your return will be approved if you send items back to before the approval of your return request

3. No returns, refunds or exchanges on discounted or sale items

Learn more about my step-by-step returns process.