In a world where designer toys have become the new fine art, 20-year-old Chinese artist Yanran Chen is pushing those boundaries further with her futuristic vision that’s equal parts “Black Mirror” and collectible obsession.
POP MART, the global powerhouse behind blind box mania, has just unveiled Chen’s original IP, KeyA, a cybernetic character that retains Chen’s “lucid dreaming in a cyberpunk world” aesthetics, inspired by the likes of James Jean and Shintaro Kago.
The emerging visionary, born in 2005, has already collaborated with luxury powerhouses like Gucci, becoming their youngest-ever collaborator before making this career-defining move into designer toys on a scale like POP MART’s.
The first KeyA releases, two meticulously crafted art figures, debuted at POP MART‘s PTS event in Beijing to immediate acclaim. Described as an “unimaginative robotic girl,” the character appears to hide deeper emotional narratives beneath its mechanical exterior—a hallmark of Chen’s distinctive style that blends the aforementioned cyberpunk aesthetics with profound storytelling.
Chen’s journey from luxury brand collaborations with Balenciaga and German stationery house Leuchtturm1917 to the designer toy space represents a fascinating evolution. Her multidisciplinary approach has earned her recognition across fashion, art, and now collectible culture, making her one of the most versatile young artists of her generation.
The timing of this collaboration couldn’t be better as designer toys continue their ascent from niche hobby to legitimate cultural phenomenon, with rare pieces now fetching prices that rival traditional art investments. Chen’s crossover appeal from luxury fashion to collectibles positions KeyA perfectly for this expanding market.
For those looking to get in on the ground floor of what’s likely to become the next must-have collectible series, KeyA’s initial releases are just the beginning of what promises to be an expansive universe from one of art’s most precocious talents.
Cover image via Just Art Vibez / All other imagery via Instagram/@yanran_chen_.
