CATFU Soldier

Igor Ventura is an art director, motion designer, illustrator and customizer from Brazil. He started his career working in the account and planning departments of advertising agencies while still in college. Before his graduation in 2001, he decided to focus on design and started working in the creative department. Today, he is a motion designer in an audiovisual studio in Sao Paulo, and an art toy designer and customizer on his spare time. Igor ranked 3rd place in in the Kidrobot Munnyworld: MunnyMunth Contest in 2010, was a finalist in the CE Planet Toy Global Contest I in 2010, was a finalist in the Designer Toy Awards 2015 in the Custom of the year category, had a production piece in Blankie series 1 by Aartin, a Dunny in the Art of War series by Kidrobot and 3 different designs in Android series 6 by Dead Zebra. KAWS’ Companion is one of the most iconic figures created by the artist Brian Donnelly, known as KAWS. The Companion character features a cartoon-like figure with a skull-shaped head, crossed-out eyes, and gloved hands, resembling classic animation characters but with a distinct melancholic and introspective expression. Since its debut in the late 1990s, Companion has been released in various forms, including vinyl toys, large-scale sculptures, and limited-edition collaborations. The character is often depicted in different poses, such as covering its face in distress, reclining, floating, or standing tall, reflecting themes of isolation, vulnerability, and contemplation. Strangecat Toys is a designer toy store based in Tampa, Florida, specializing in urban vinyl toys, art toys, customs, plush toys, and more. Owned and operated by a husband and wife team, the store offers a curated selection of collectibles from both established and emerging artists. The physical store is located at 4338 S Manhattan Ave, Tampa, Florida 33611