# Jason Freeny

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**Jason Freeny** (born 1970) is an American artist specializing in sculpture, [designer toys](/source/Designer_toys) and [computer-generated imagery](/source/Computer-generated_imagery). He is best known for his [anatomical](/source/Anatomical) art, where he produces [cutaway](/source/Cutaway_drawing) drawings and sculptures of (typically toy) inanimate objects such as a [Lego](/source/Lego) man, [Barbie](/source/Barbie) doll, the animated fish [Nemo](/source/Finding_Nemo) or a [balloon art](/source/Balloon_art) dog.[1]

## Early life

Jason Freeny was born in 1970 in [Silver Spring, Maryland](/source/Silver_Spring,_Maryland), United States, in a creative household. His mother worked creating [Go-go dancing](/source/Go-go_dancing) wear,[2] and his father, a professor of painting and sculpture at the [University of Maryland](/source/University_of_Maryland).[3] He was exposed early on to [pop culture](/source/Pop_culture), [surrealist art](/source/Surrealist_art), and [Saturday-morning cartoon](/source/Saturday-morning_cartoon). A tragic incident in 1976, involving Jason's mother being severely burned in a nightclub fire, had a traumatic impact and affected much of Jason's adolescent years.[4]

Freeny attended the [Pratt Institute](/source/Pratt_Institute) in [Brooklyn, New York](/source/Brooklyn).[5] where he studied [industrial design](/source/Industrial_design), a foundation that later informed his [prototyping](/source/Prototyping) and sculptural techniques.[6]

He attended [Middletown High School](/source/Middletown_High_School_(Maryland)) in [Middletown, Maryland](/source/Middletown,_Maryland).[7]

## Career

Freeny worked for [MTV](/source/MTV) as a [production designer](/source/Production_designer) and [property designer](/source/Property_designer), where he created the custom trophies used in the *[Rock'n'Jock](/source/MTV_Rock_N'_Jock)* series[8] and *[TRL Awards](/source/TRL_Awards)* televised events. Freeny also spent time at [ESPN](/source/ESPN) designing for the mobile phone division and was a freelance illustrator creating editorial and literary illustrations for [Penthouse](/source/Penthouse_(magazine)).[9]

In 2006 Freeny began creating his anatomical illustrations, beginning with a computer-generated, transparent, [balloon modelling](/source/Balloon_modelling) animal [infographic](/source/Infographic), showing internal organs.[10] He transitioned this concept into three-dimensional sculptures, combining his industrial design training with hand-crafted techniques to produce meticulously detailed “cutaway” figures.[11]

Freeny's sculptural and illustration work has been the basis for multiple mass-produced toys. He has collaborated with Hong Kong–based [Toy2R](/source/Toy2R) (working on the [Qee](/source/Qee) figurines), Hong Kong–based Fame Master toys producing [Gummy bear](/source/Gummy_bear) anatomical toys,[12] United States–based Jailbreak Collective producing the "CAPSL" collectable series[13] and United States–based Marbles the Brain Store creating Freeny's Brain Cube puzzle.[14] He has also worked extensively with Singapore-based [Mighty Jaxx](/source/Mighty_Jaxx) to produce hundreds of unique toys under the XXRAY, Hidden Dissectables, and Jason Freeny branding, establishing the anatomy character design, and was the driving force behind Mightyjaxx early success, including a series of [Sanrio](/source/Sanrio) and [Minions](/source/Minions_(film)) toy collectibles.[15][16]

## Critical reception and impact

Critics have praised Freeny for transforming the toy paradigm: rather than mass-producing licensed characters, he elevates them to sculptural art with anatomical insight. Critics cite Freeny as one of the most influential artists of the 21st century, within the designer toy genre.[17][18]

His collaborations, most notably with Singapore-based MightyJaxx, have helped define and expand the [designer toy](/source/Designer_toy) movement, making [high-concept](/source/High-concept) art toys accessible to collectors globally.[19] His work has appeared in both fine art and [commercial art](/source/Commercial_art) contexts, bridging disciplines and adding legitimacy to the designer-toy-as-art genre.

## Legacy and influence

Over nearly two decades, Jason Freeny has carved out a distinctive niche in [contemporary art](/source/Contemporary_art). By combining anatomical [realism (arts)](/source/Realism_(arts)) with beloved [cultural icons](/source/Cultural_icons), he has challenged the boundaries between toy design, sculpture, and fine art. His influence can be seen in the broader acceptance of "dissectible" toys, the fusion of [biology](/source/Biology) with [pop art](/source/Pop_art), and the growing respect for [designer toy](/source/Designer_toy) creators as legitimate artists.

## Personal life

Jason lives and maintains his [studio](/source/Studio) in [Long Beach, New York](/source/Long_Beach,_New_York) with his fiancée, Kendra.[20] He has two children and is a professor of Toy Production at the [School of Visual Arts](/source/School_of_Visual_Arts) in New York City.

## Awards

Freeny has received several Designer Toy Awards throughout his career, including Break Through Artist (2011), Fan Favorite (2013), Custom of the Year (2014), Best Collaboration with artist [Luke Chueh](/source/Luke_Chueh) (2014), Artist of the Year – Fan Choice (2014), and Best Vinyl & Plastic (2016).[21][22][23][24]

Freeny was the Designer, [Art Director](/source/Art_Director) and [Typographer](/source/Typographer) for the poster series entitled *Anatomy*, which was awarded the Grand Prix (Outdoor) and Gold Medal (Print Work) at the 2009 Dubai Lynx International Advertising Festival.[25]

## Exhibitions

"Happy Pills" Copro Gallery, Los Angeles, 2023[26]

"Outside In" Hong Kong, 2020[27][28]

"X-Soul Station" Shanghai, 2019[29][30]

"Jason Freeny Asia" Taipei, 2019[31][32]

"Plastic Surgeon" Megumi Ogita Gallery, Tokyo, 2017[33]

"From East to East" London, 2016[34]

"MOLT" [La Luz de Jesus](/source/La_Luz_de_Jesus), Los Angeles, 2015[35]

PIQ, Piq, Las Vegas, 2013[36]

"Choice Cuts" 101/exhibit, Los Angeles, 2013[37]

## Private collections

- Nike CEO/President [Mark Parker](/source/Mark_Parker)
- Television Host [Conan O'Brien](/source/Conan_O'Brien)[38]
- Los Angeles collector [Long Gone John](/source/Long_Gone_John)
- Comedian [Hamish Blake](/source/Hamish_Blake)

## References

1. ["History, Travel, Arts, Science, People, Places | Smithsonian"](http://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/see-the-inner-anatomy-of-barbie-mario-and-mickey-mouse-bones-guts-and-all-180949306/). Smithsonianmag.com. Retrieved 2014-05-31.

1. [https://www.artcollectorz.com/artists/artist-detail?artist_id=828](https://www.artcollectorz.com/artists/artist-detail?artist_id=828)

1. [https://www.jasonfreeny.com/bio](https://www.jasonfreeny.com/bio)

1. [https://1xrun.com/collections/jason-freeny](https://1xrun.com/collections/jason-freeny)?

1. ["About Bio Menu"](http://moistproduction.com/Frame/About_Bio_Menu.html) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20130220234515/http://moistproduction.com/Frame/About_Bio_Menu.html) 2013-02-20 at the Wayback Machine. Moist Production. Retrieved October 2, 2013.

1. [https://hifructose.com/2013/05/20/studio-visit-with-jason-freeny/](https://hifructose.com/2013/05/20/studio-visit-with-jason-freeny/)

1. ["Jason Freeny"](https://1xrun.com/collections/jason-freeny). *1XRUN*. Retrieved 2025-11-24.

1. Style Skin: Change skin (16 April 2009). ["MTV Rock-n-Jock SB Trophy by freeny on deviantART"](http://freeny.deviantart.com/art/MTV-Rock-n-Jock-SB-Trophy-119448920). Freeny.deviantart.com. Retrieved 2014-05-31.

1. Style Skin: Change skin (27 February 2009). ["Do It Diet by freeny on deviantART"](http://freeny.deviantart.com/art/Do-It-Diet-114289090). Freeny.deviantart.com. Retrieved 2014-05-31.

1. [https://hifructose.com/2013/05/20/studio-visit-with-jason-freeny/](https://hifructose.com/2013/05/20/studio-visit-with-jason-freeny/)

1. [https://www.tonermagazine.net/iconic-anatomical-character-dissections-jason-freeny/](https://www.tonermagazine.net/iconic-anatomical-character-dissections-jason-freeny/)

1. ["Gummi Bear Anatomy Toys by Jason Freeny"](http://laughingsquid.com/gummi-bear-anatomy-toys-by-jason-freeny/). Laughingsquid.com. 2012-08-09. Retrieved 2014-05-31.

1. ["Come check out our new store!"](https://web.archive.org/web/20120919193858/http://www.jailbreaktoys.com/CAPSLs_by_Jason_Freeny_s/108.htm). Jailbreaktoys.com. Archived from [the original](http://www.jailbreaktoys.com/CAPSLs_by_Jason_Freeny_s/108.htm) on 2012-09-19. Retrieved 2014-05-31.

1. ["The Brain Cube – Marbles: The Brain Store"](https://web.archive.org/web/20140515184650/http://www.marblesthebrainstore.com/the-brain-cube). Marblesthebrainstore.com. 2014-05-19. Archived from [the original](http://www.marblesthebrainstore.com/the-brain-cube) on 2014-05-15. Retrieved 2014-05-31.

1. Teo, Edwin (2022-12-27). ["The Minions Go On Vacation In Freeny's Hidden Dissectibles From Mighty Jaxx"](https://geekculture.co/the-minions-go-on-vacation-in-freenys-hidden-dissectibles-from-mighty-jaxx/). *Geek Culture*. Retrieved 2023-03-01.

1. Rachael (2023-02-23). ["Mighty Jaxx launches new Kandy x Sanrio series"](https://toyworldmag.co.uk/mighty-jaxx-launches-new-kandy-x-sanrio-series/). *Toy World Magazine | The business magazine with a passion for toys*. Retrieved 2023-03-01.

1. [https://hifructose.com/2013/05/20/studio-visit-with-jason-freeny/](https://hifructose.com/2013/05/20/studio-visit-with-jason-freeny/)

1. [https://www.lifestyleasia.com/ind/shop/offers-deals/figurines-like-kaws-that-you-can-buy/](https://www.lifestyleasia.com/ind/shop/offers-deals/figurines-like-kaws-that-you-can-buy/)

1. [https://thepopinsider.com/nycc-mighty-jaxx-jason-freeny/](https://thepopinsider.com/nycc-mighty-jaxx-jason-freeny/)

1. [https://hifructose.com/2013/05/20/studio-visit-with-jason-freeny/](https://hifructose.com/2013/05/20/studio-visit-with-jason-freeny/)

1. ["2011 Winners"](https://web.archive.org/web/20161006224440/http://designertoyawards.com/winners2011). Designer Toy Awards. Archived from [the original](http://designertoyawards.com/winners2011) on 2016-10-06. Retrieved 2016-11-09.

1. ["2013 Winners"](https://web.archive.org/web/20161110043932/http://designertoyawards.com/winners2013). Designer Toy Awards. Archived from [the original](http://designertoyawards.com/winners2013) on 2016-11-10. Retrieved 2016-11-09.

1. ["2014 Winners"](https://web.archive.org/web/20161110043959/http://designertoyawards.com/winners2014). Designer Toy Awards. Archived from [the original](http://designertoyawards.com/winners2014) on 2016-11-10. Retrieved 2016-11-09.

1. ["2016 Winners"](https://web.archive.org/web/20161108130433/http://designertoyawards.com/winners2016). Designer Toy Awards. Archived from [the original](http://designertoyawards.com/winners2016) on 2016-11-08. Retrieved 2016-11-09.

1. ["ANATOMY – FP7 | Winners & Shortlists | Dubai Lynx – International Festival of Creativity"](http://www.dubailynx.com/winners/2009/outdoor/entry.cfm?entryid=877). *Dubai Lynx – International Festival of Creativity*. Dubai Lynx. Retrieved 2014-05-31.[dead link]

1. ["CoproGallery – Santa Monica CA"](https://www.copronason.com/exhibitionsOld.html)

1. ["Jason Freeny's Art Toys are Coming to Hong Kong's K11 Mall"](https://hypebeast.com/2020/11/jason-freeny-outside-in-art-toy-experience-store-k11-hong-kong). 19 November 2020.

1. [https://www.trip.com/things-to-do/detail/32703527/](https://www.trip.com/things-to-do/detail/32703527/)

1. ["Grown men fuelling boom in China's toy collectibles market"](https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/society/article/3023161/chinese-toy-story-why-do-adult-men-buy-designer-toys). 18 August 2019.

1. ["City News Service | Shanghai and China City News Service and Life Guide"](https://www.shine.cn/feature/entertainment/1907128318/)

1. ["玩具解剖展 Jason Freeny Asia"](https://www.huashan1914.com/w/huashan1914/exhibition_19051317022724755)

1. ["【Closed】Jason Freeny Asia exhibition (Taiwan) | Kidult Kingdom"](https://kidultkingdom.com/jason-freeny-asia/#gsc.tab=0). *Kidult Kingdom*. 23 September 2019.

1. ["Megumi Ogita Gallery"](https://www.megumiogita.com/artistpage-jason-freeny?lang=en)

1. ["Jason Freeny is Coming to London in September…. Kinda!"](https://www.thetoychronicle.com/shows/jason-freeny-is-coming-to-london-in-september-kinda/). 27 August 2016.

1. ["Jason Freeny"](http://laluzdejesus.com/jason-freeny-miso-with-william-mortensen/#more-11946). LaLuzDeJesus. Retrieved 2015-02-01.

1. ["On View: Jason Freeny's Sculptures at PIQ | Hi-Fructose Magazine"](http://hifructose.com/2013/11/12/on-view-jason-freenys-sculptures-at-piq/). Hifructose.com. 2013-11-12. Retrieved 2014-05-31.

1. ["Jason Freeny"](http://www.101exhibit.com/exhibitions/jason-freeny). 101 Exhibit. Retrieved 2014-05-31.

1. ["A Birthday Gift From Andy Richter @"](https://web.archive.org/web/20160303230226/http://teamcoco.com/content/birthday-gift-andy-richter-0). Teamcoco.com. 2013-09-20. Archived from [the original](http://teamcoco.com/content/birthday-gift-andy-richter-0) on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2014-05-31.

## External links

- [Freeny's DeviantArt Gallery](http://freeny.deviantart.com/gallery/)
- [Jason Freeny Website](http://www.jasonfreeny.com)
- [Jason’s Instagram](https://instagram.com/gummifetus)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Jason Freeny](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jason_Freeny) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jason_Freeny?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.