The Broken Toy Company is a collective of creatives that all share the same brain.
Artist: Born in Manchester in 1972, Dex Hannon is a British abstract expressionist and multimedia artist whose work encompasses paint, digital art, film, sound, and photography.
Hannon’s oeuvre examines transformation and reinvention, with each medium providing a distinct perspective on the human experience. His guiding philosophy—“What else could it be?”—informs his multidisciplinary approach, continuously challenging boundaries and redefining the possibilities of art.
Music significantly influences Hannon’s creative process, akin to the practices of Mark Rothko and Gerhard Richter. For Hannon, music serves not merely as an inspiration but as a catalyst. Each composition evokes memories and emotions, which are translated into the rhythmic, dynamic elements that characterise his work. His art is frequently described as "pictorial symphonies," adorned with intricate lines, bold textures, and vivid colour palettes.
Beyond traditional media, Hannon has embraced digitalism, particularly through his Retro Futurism series. He approaches each piece with an openness to evolution where a painting might form the basis for a digital reinterpretation, a single photograph might inspire an entire film, and a completed piece often marks the commencement of a new creative endeavour. For Hannon, the artistic process does not have a definitive end; instead, it presents ongoing opportunities for reinvention.
Currently residing in Blyth, Northumberland, Hannon’s practice is profoundly influenced by his environment and his conviction in art as a unifying force. Through his paintings, films, and collaborations, Hannon continues to investigate the intersections of memory, emotion, and possibility, encouraging audiences to envision not only what is, but what could be.
The Author : Dexuality Valentino's debut collection of short stories is out now.
He was born, raised and educated in Manchester. He studied Design and Art Direction with dreams of becoming a graphic designer, but knew deep down his heart was invested in art, music and writing. Currently lives in Northumberland.
The Musician: Skin Vehicles (AKA DVEC & SkinGasm) Skin Vehicles has released 20 albums and his music has been played on Late Junction and BBC Introducing several times. He likes to collaborate with people he's never met, currently involved in collaborations with AneurGasm (Miami) and Eunice Cazarez (Los Angeles)
Projects
- A labour of LoveThis project started 10 years ago. When stuck on a train and bored and wanting something to do. I hate wasting time. I'm sure everyone here hates the time when nothing happens. I couldn't draw I was stood up, I didn't want to endlessly scroll through socials. Then I overheard two young guys talking loudly, one had been from Manchester, down to London for an interview, he stayed in a hotel went off to the interview and blew it, he stank. So he did the only thing he felt he could do in that situa
- Blythian MemesExperimental animation, capturing the essence of Blyth through the distinctive landmarks etched in my memory. In the process of traversing the local area with my dogs, I've absorbed the quirky local spaces, these are a selection of buildings or objects are 'memes' that are instantly recalled when I think of these journeys, seamlessly woven themselves into the fabric of my experiences. The animation is a visual exploration of repeating and morphing patterns. Throughout this visual narrative, a s
- Half-Life Planet SuicideBrand New Single from SkinGasm Half-Life Planet Suicide Video by Dex Hannon The video is created from macro photographs I took of Dandelions. They seemed relevant conceptually to how we fritter away the chances to save ourselves. Ignore the importance of protecting the environment to help the survival of our species. Greed, arrogance and stupidity the worst of humanities traits are putting us on a suicidal path of self destruction. We waste chance after chance to save ourselves. Blow our s
- Mistakes teach us more than success ever doesA new video creation with a piano composition from Skin Vehicles A super fast trip through the mind of artist and collaborator Dex Hannon Go to his website and spend some time going through his works here, Dex Hannon. https://dexhannon.co.uk If you want more Skin Vehicles. go check it out here. https://brokentoycompany.bandcamp.com/
- I went weirderWhen I created the David Lynch homage album I had wanted to somehow have lyrics that gave it a Lynchian edge, unsettling prose, or random words but nothing came. Something that hinted at the backwards talking in Twin Peaks but not using that technique. I experimented with various vocal synths and vocoder ideas but it all sounded ‘predictable’ So I released the album as an instrumental, and was very happy with it. Roll into 2023 and I found a way to do it. I found an AI product that was creat
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Projects credited in
- Top 10: career advice tips for 2023Job hunting? Thinking of pivoting your career? Struggling with motivation? Working with a tricky client? We’ve got you! We’ve put together our top 10 career-related questions for 2023 to help you navigate through the year ahead, no matter if you’re just starting out, or already have experience in the industry. Click through to see insights, advice and top tips from industry mentors and our brilliant Dots community. Got some thoughts of your own? Please add your own wisdom if you have anything46
- Is Digital Art going to replace Painting? In Conversation with: Dex HannonWe are thrilled to share with you the interview with Abstract Expressionist British Artist, Dex Hannon. The Image Curators team is pleased to have the chance to host an interview with the mixed media artist, as he talks about one of the biggest dilemma in Contemporary Art: will Digital Art replace traditional ways to create art? Read what is the artist's point of view and how he built resilience during the Covid-19 lockdown.
Work history
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MusicianBroken Toy Company
United KingdomFull Time
Skin Vehicles a collaborative musical outfit. Creating soundtracks, scores and music for fun.
https://skinvehicles.bandcamp.com/
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PhotographyBroken Toy Company
United KingdomFull Time
DJH Photography, capturing the tiny things.
https://dexhannon.viewbug.com/
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Skills
- Art
- Writing
- Performing
- Music
- Music Composition
- Photography
- Graphic Design
- Poetry
Education
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(hons) Graphic Design (multimediaThe Manchester Metropolitian University
- Manchester, United Kingdom
Design & Art Direction degree