'La Familia Grin' by Ron English, 2021
Limited Edition collab. between pop-surrealist artist/graphic-toy pioneer Ron English and Colombian music star J Balvin.
Released under the MINDstyle label in partnership with English's toy-line imprint POPaganda.
ComplexCon 2021 exclusive release.
8 Inches tall
20.3 Centimeters tall
12 x 9.5 x 6 Inches (box)
Rare, collectible designer vinyl art figure featuring Ron English's famous "Grin" with real cloth outfit and canvas bag.
Limited Edition (Sold Out).
New in original, custom display box.
Includes COA card and POPaganda tamper-proof hologram decal.
*Note: HAND-SIGNED by the artist in black Sharpie on figure.
ABOUT THE ART
The Ron English × J Balvin 'La Familia' vinyl figure blends two bold creative worlds: Ron English’s subversive pop-surrealism and J Balvin’s vibrant, high-energy aesthetic. Designed in English’s signature “Grin” style, the figure transforms Balvin’s persona into a sculptural character defined by a wide skeletal smile and electrified facial markings.
Wrapped in Balvin’s unmistakably colorful fashion palette, the piece merges music culture with art-toy design, creating a striking crossover between urban art and global pop identity. Every detail—from the camo-style patchwork outfit to the playful “La Familia” chest pouch—reinforces Balvin’s celebration of positivity, community, and expressive self-style.
As a collectible art figure, 'La Familia' demonstrates Ron English’s talent for remixing cultural icons into new, visually charged forms. The exaggerated proportions and cartoonish rendering are hallmarks of English’s broader “Popaganda” universe, a space where consumer imagery, celebrity personas, and fine art intermingle with satire and symbolic commentary. Here, Balvin becomes both muse and collaborator—his public image reinterpreted through English’s lens to reflect themes of fame, identity, and cultural fusion. The result is a vibrant hybrid object that feels simultaneously humorous, stylish, and conceptually sharp.
Released in 2021 as a limited-edition designer toy, the figure captures a moment when contemporary art, street culture, and global music increasingly intersect. Its presence within the collectible world resonates not only as a portrait of a pop icon, but also as a statement on collaboration and creative exchange. By merging two influential creative voices, 'La Familia' stands as a dynamic example of how art toys can transcend their medium to embody broader cultural narratives.