Visit to Figarti (2 Viewers)

[jazzeum]

Today, my wife, my son and I visited the Figarti factory, Rick, his wonderful father and the people there. Rick showed us around the factory but was careful to hide away any vestiges of the upcoming shock and awe piece

We saw the Churchill and Matador which, as I mentioned on another thread, are must haves. I got to see the reception area which is the Figarti museum. Very impressive to say the least. We saw how things are made and painted. The factory is air conditioned which in Shanghai's climate is a big plus.

One of the new things Figarti is coming out with are Chinese opera figures, a project of his dad's. It's the best painting I've ever seen bar none, Russian quality painting although Rick thought he could do better.

I also saw the Last Supper. I think it's superb as well.

It turns out that I'm only the third collector to visit the Factory so that was pretty cool (Steven
Chong and an Australian collector being the others).

My son and Rick's father talked Chinese history and got along famously. It also turns out that my wife and Rick's father both come from Wuxi so they both talked about their ancestors' homeplace for a little while.

After that they took us to lunch, which was delicious.

I took some photos and will post them when I return in ten days.

Many thanks to the Wangs, who made this a great day for us.

 

[nasirkasmani]

good report brad, though i was counting on the recce pics

looking fwd to the pics.

 

[The Military Workshop]

The Australian collector would be Mervyn from Brisbane who went over a year ago.

 

[Vezzolf]

Today, my wife, my son and I visited the Figarti factory, Rick, his wonderful father and the people there. Rick showed us around the factory but was careful to hide away any vestiges of the upcoming shock and awe piece

We saw the Churchill and Matador which, as I mentioned on another thread, are must haves. I got to see the reception area which is the Figarti museum. Very impressive to say the least. We saw how things are made and painted. The factory is air conditioned which in Shanghai's climate is a big plus.

One of the new things Figarti is coming out with are Chinese opera figures, a project of his dad's. It's the best painting I've ever seen bar none, Russian quality painting although Rick thought he could do better.

I also saw the Last Supper. I think it's superb as well.

It turns out that I'm only the third collector to visit the Factory so that was pretty cool (Steven
Chong and an Australian collector being the others).

My son and Rick's father talked Chinese history and got along famously. It also turns out that my wife and Rick's father both come from Wuxi so they both talked about their ancestors' homeplace for a little while.

After that they took us to lunch, which was delicious.

I took some photos and will post them when I return in ten days.

Many thanks to the Wangs, who made this a great day for us.

Very Cool Brad....Looking forward to your Photos ....Safe Travels Vezzolf

 

[aujj65]

Today, my wife, my son and I visited the Figarti factory, Rick, his wonderful father and the people there. Rick showed us around the factory but was careful to hide away any vestiges of the upcoming shock and awe piece

We saw the Churchill and Matador which, as I mentioned on another thread, are must haves. I got to see the reception area which is the Figarti museum. Very impressive to say the least. We saw how things are made and painted. The factory is air conditioned which in Shanghai's climate is a big plus.

One of the new things Figarti is coming out with are Chinese opera figures, a project of his dad's. It's the best painting I've ever seen bar none, Russian quality painting although Rick thought he could do better.

I also saw the Last Supper. I think it's superb as well.

It turns out that I'm only the third collector to visit the Factory so that was pretty cool (Steven
Chong and an Australian collector being the others).

My son and Rick's father talked Chinese history and got along famously. It also turns out that my wife and Rick's father both come from Wuxi so they both talked about their ancestors' homeplace for a little while.

After that they took us to lunch, which was delicious.

I took some photos and will post them when I return in ten days.

Many thanks to the Wangs, who made this a great day for us.

Brad, sounds like a great time! and looking forward to the photos.

Jeff

 

[tdubel]

Brad,

Fantastic, this is on my list to do! I am afraid I will drive Rick nuts on a visit, ala a kid in a candy store!!!!!


Tom

 

[Louis Badolato]

Sounds like you had a wonderful visit, Brad. I am really looking forward to seeing those photos.

 

[wayne556517]

Sounds awesome Brad will look forward to the pics.

 

[jazzeum]

As promised, here are the photos, so let's get the ball rolling...

These are in the order that I took them.

The Cromwell and Matador look excellent. If you collect WW II or British Army, a must.

 

[jazzeum]

I was blown away by the quality of the Opera Singers although Rick said he still wasn't happy.

 

[jazzeum]

Photos from the Figarti Museum.

 

[jazzeum]

Unfortunately, I had a mind lock and didn't get many photos of Rick, his dad or people at the Factory. The second photo is of Rick talking to Jason, who is a recent graduate of one of Shanghai best art or design schools. Rick has high hopes for Jason and I wouldn't be surprised if you see him in Chicago.

 

[jazzeum]

These are photos of the production area. I am holding a bar of metal for making soldiers that is incredibly heavy.

 

[jazzeum]

The second photo shows how they maintain the quality control on each numbered figure. Each one (1-132) is placed on its number. If one is out of sequence, they check every one.

Hopefully, you don't get the figure I was painting

 

[jazzeum]

Mr. Wang and I talked about the Last Supper and it's an amazing work of art. I don't know if they're available yet but, despite my skepticism when it was first announced at the West Coaster a couple of years ago, I was very impressed.

That all folks

 

[Wraith]

Great shots Brad!
Many thanks for giving us a photographic guided tour. Always interesting to see stuff in the making, including lots of the Iraq War series pieces (including some first views).

Simon

 

[glossman]

Brad,

Thanks very much for taking the time to post the very interesting photographs of your recent visit to the Figarti factory.

The QC shot of the numbered figures look like the loaders for the Abrams MBT set.

Raymond.

PS: I think you have a shot of the commander/gunner figures as well.

 

[mrsc94]

Many thanks for the pictures and write-up Brad!

I had the fortune to meet Rick and crew at the Chicago Show and they were all first rate guys. The lunch was an awesome event. Thanks again Brad.

 

[Louis Badolato]

Great shots, Brad!!! So what was your one of a kind gift (Rick promised anyone who visits the factory gets a one of a kind special gift)?

 

[nmrocks]

Thank you Brad for posting these excellent pics.