“I am very excited about the exhibit,” Flores told XBIZ. “I respect and admire all of the artists in the show and I can not wait to see how they paint their plaster molds. I really love the idea of mixing sex and art and using the toy as a canvas will be a unique way to do this.”
The exhibit will take place at La Luz de Jesus Gallery in Los Angeles, located at 4633 Hollywood Blvd. It will be curated by artist, director and photographer Carlos Batts.
“Since this is the first mold of its kind, I wanted to create a groundbreaking event to go along with the toy,” Batts told XBIZ. “The artists in the show have exhibited around the world and work regularly on their personal art and influence popular art culture and commercial advertising media. La Luz De Jesus is a landmark gallery in Los Angeles and considered one of the coolest places to been shown in the world.”
Flores is the first BBW star to be molded by Topco Sales. As part of the Wildfire Celebrity Series, the toy is molded directly from Flores’ private parts and replicates the look and feel of human flesh.
“When Topco Sales molded April to make her toy, we knew we were breaking new ground,” said Desiree Duffie, Topco Sales’ director of marketing and public relations. “Partnering with her and C. Batts FLY to present this exhibit seems like a natural next step. This show provides an inspired arena in which to play with such provocative issues as beauty, sexuality, intimacy, pleasure toys and more. I cant wait to see each artists work.”
Batts said the making of the mold is featured as a bonus scene in his latest release as part of a documentary series titled “Glamazons.” The movie showcases Flores in exotic photo sessions and solo scenes.
“It feels great to be the first BBW to be molded by Topco,” Flores said. “I like knowing that my fans will have a way to experience me more intimately. I also think it's cool that more diverse body types are being represented.”
The artists set to contribute pieces include Batts, graffiti artist Axis, T-shirt, skateboard and album cover designer COOP, comic book artist Jim Mahfood, painter and illustrator Kim Buzzelli, graphic designing duo Kozy & Dan and tattoo artists Misha and New Wave rocker Small Paul.
"April Flores is a good friend and client," Paul Stottler, aka Small Paul, told XBIZ. "She came to me last year to get the roses [tattoo] done on her back. Her and Carlos always come to see my band, The Invisible Humans, when we play in L.A. When they asked me to be a part of this I thought it was so crazy that I couldn't say no. First time for everything!"
The pieces, designed in each artist’s signature style, will be unveiled for the first time and made available for sale on the evening of the event.
Batts said the exhibit also was inspired by the kitschy imagery of American artist Jeff Koons, as well as the Kidrobot’s Dunny designer figurines that while shaped the same, are available in different designs and collaborations. Mainly, however, Batts said his muse, Flores, inspired the exhibit.
“I have been working on photographing and filming April Flores for nine years,” Batts said. “She is an amazing model and collaborator. She will go down in the history of art as one of the great muses dating back to the paintings of Paul Rubens, the relationship between Olga and Andrew Wyeth and Nico and Warhol. All of her magazine editorials and films illustrate her talent and beauty.”
Batts featured Flores on the cover of his coffee table book “Wild Skin” and cast her as the lead in Adam & Eve’s “Voluptuous Biker Babes,” which he directed.
Flores also has appeared in Evil Angel’s “Dark Meat 3” and Zero Tolerance’s “Waist Watchers 4,” among several other titles.
