Sackhead Clyde - Blue

Rich Montanari Jr., also known as LASH (Last Dying Wish), is an American artist renowned for his contributions to the designer toy scene, particularly in the realm of sofubi (Japanese soft vinyl) figures. As the founder and operator of Mutant Vinyl Hardcore (MVH), Montanari serves as the lead sculptor, painter, and package designer for the company. His creations are deeply influenced by horror, monster, sci-fi, and fantasy cultures, which he reinterprets through his unique artistic vision.  Montanari’s work is characterized by intricate designs and meticulous attention to detail, often resulting in limited-edition figures that are highly sought after by collectors. His studio, Death’s Vault, located in New Haven, Connecticut, serves as both a workspace and gallery, showcasing his creations and collaborations. Having grown up on the West Coast most of my life and coming from a family of uber ‘antique’ collectors and artists, my eclectic upbringing was filled with a wide range of ’Pop’ ephemera. Many of those inspirations now show up in my work and stem from the backdrop of my childhood. The Subject of my paintings is a world of side-show icons, deviant Animalia, and ‘masked’ glorified cartoon alter egos. I utilize these icons and character cultures as antithetical counterparts to what we are lead to believe as being innocent and socially acceptable. Although misfits on the surface, a sense of relation is understood, secret from the public - we are all misfits; hiding behind animated personas, odd and beautifully unusual. Who is it that we relate to? The lonely little boy hiding in a bear suite, the evil lustful pool-hall wolf, the sexualized little girl who secretly wants more. The environment and its limited population are meant to conjure these questions, the viewers are confronted with fi