Coarse Toys

Coarse (often referred to as Coarse Toys) is a premium vinyl sculpture and designer art toy label created by the acclaimed German artist duo Mark Landwehr and Sven Waschk. Since 2003, coarse has produced high-end, limited-edition vinyl replicas of their original hand-sculpted works, blending fine art, emotional storytelling, and collectible design. Their signature style features melancholic, introspective characters with expressive eyes, subtle narratives, and a distinctive "sad yet beautiful" aesthetic that captures human emotions, vulnerability, and quiet moments. Operating as a true artist-driven label rather than a mass-market toy brand, coarse emphasizes handmade quality, no AI or renderings, and small-run productions that become coveted collector pieces worldwide.

Coarse was founded in 2003 by German artists Mark Landwehr and Sven Waschk in Hannover, Germany. Mark began sculpting in 2002–2003 to escape a day job and harsh winters, developing a unique style that evolved into the coarse aesthetic. The duo quickly gained recognition in the emerging designer toy and contemporary art scenes through original sculptures exhibited in galleries.

Key milestones include establishing dual studios in Berlin and Los Angeles, transitioning select originals into premium vinyl replicas, solo exhibitions in major cities (Los Angeles, Berlin, Tokyo, Seoul, Chicago), and brand collaborations. By the 2010s–2020s, coarse solidified its status as a leading vinyl sculpture label with a global collector base. As of 2026, they continue releasing limited vinyl editions, participating in international toy expos (e.g., Thailand Toy Expo, PTS Beijing 2025), and maintaining direct sales through coarse.gallery and coarse.shop, with ongoing emphasis on human-crafted artistry.

Premium Vinyl Replicas

Limited-edition, high-quality vinyl sculptures replicating original hand-sculpted works, often in small runs with detailed finishes.

Original Sculptures

One-of-a-kind or very limited hand-sculpted pieces in materials like resin, bronze, or mixed media, sold through galleries or exhibitions.

Exhibition Exclusives & Variants

Event-specific editions (e.g., expo exclusives, color variants, matte/gloss finishes) and story-driven series pieces.

Companion & Narrative Sets

Multi-figure sets telling interconnected stories, including pairs or groups exploring themes like emotion, loss, and human connection.

Other Collectibles

Occasional bronze editions, smaller-scale pieces (e.g., 3–4 inch vinyls), and related art objects tied to exhibitions.

Coarse operates around thematic series and standalone narrative sculptures rather than ongoing character lines:

• Omen series (iconic melancholic figures with signature sad eyes)
• Burnout / emotional exhaustion themes (e.g., "Too Many Storms," "Pressure Cooker," "Shadow of Myself")
• Empty Spaces (figures like Ocean and Transition exploring inner voids)
• If You Show Me Yours (2025 vinyl release after expo debut)
• Bärlicious (Berlin Bear creative character, full sets with accessories)
• KOKO (small-scale bronze and vinyl exclusives)
• Others (e.g., "Casting Shadows," "Loser" editions, "Possession," "ZigZag Katsura," "Kachapati" collabs)

Releases occur every few months as limited drops, often tied to exhibitions or expos, with storylines connecting pieces across the coarse universe.

Coarse primarily creates original IP and narrative-driven sculptures, with selective high-profile brand collaborations rather than broad licensing:

• Warner Bros. (select projects)
• Richard Mille (for Pharrell Williams collaborations)
• Diesel, Vans, Ikea (brand and lifestyle tie-ins)
• Pop Mart (e.g., "Better Days" vinyl edition international release)
• JPX (e.g., Kachapati New Legacy: Happiness)
• Others (gallery and exhibition partnerships, occasional streetwear/art crossovers)

The focus remains on artist originals with authentic emotional depth, avoiding heavy franchise reliance in favor of independent storytelling.

Coarse operates from artist studios in Berlin, Germany, and Los Angeles, USA. The brand sells worldwide directly through its official sites coarse.gallery (showcase and info) and coarse.shop (purchases). Products ship globally, with strong collector followings in North America, Europe, Asia (Japan, Korea, China, Thailand), and beyond. Presence expands via solo exhibitions, international toy expos (e.g., Thailand Toy Expo, PTS Beijing), gallery partnerships (e.g., Rotofugi, Attickatz), and social media (@coarselife on Instagram).

Coarse occupies a premium niche in the designer toy and contemporary art worlds, distinguished by artistic integrity, emotional resonance, and extreme scarcity. It appeals to serious art toy collectors, fine art enthusiasts, and those seeking introspective pieces over mass-market figures.

• Pricing: Mid-to-high range, typically $200–$800+ for vinyl replicas, higher for originals/exclusives/bronze
• Extremely limited runs drive high demand and rapid sell-outs
• Strong secondary market appreciation for retired editions and expo variants
• Targets mature collectors valuing narrative depth, craftsmanship, and exclusivity

Coarse's human-made ethos and "no AI" stance enhance its prestige in an evolving market.

Collectors choose coarse for:

• Deep emotional storytelling through melancholic, expressive characters
• Exceptional hand-sculpted quality translated into premium vinyl
• Limited-edition scarcity with meaningful variants and series connections
• Authentic artist-driven process (human-made since 2003)
• Blend of fine art sensibility and collectible appeal
• Investment potential in appreciating rare pieces
• Connection to a global community of introspective art lovers

Coarse transforms vinyl into evocative art that invites reflection and personal resonance.

Coarse products are available through:

• Official coarse.shop (direct purchases of available vinyl replicas, in-stock items)
• coarse.gallery (exhibition info, upcoming releases, order placement)
• Select international galleries and retailers (e.g., Rotofugi, Attickatz, specialty art toy shops)
• Secondary markets (eBay, Tramt, forums) for rare/retired pieces

Monitor coarse.gallery for drop announcements, exhibition exclusives, and restocks—editions sell out quickly.

Collectors interested in coarse often also explore:

• Kidrobot (artist customs and vinyl platforms)
• Superplastic (high-end designer figures)
• Pop Mart (blind box and collab vinyls)
• 3A Toys / threeA (detailed narrative-driven figures)
• Other artist duo labels (e.g., Futurism, Munny customs, or emotional art toy creators)

Coarse stands out for its fine art roots, emotional depth, and uncompromising limited-edition approach in the designer toy landscape.