# Action Figure Portraits Robert Burden Pays Tribute to Childhood with the Toy Box Series By Susan Keefe | Published 2011-10-15 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/robert-burden References: [sweet-station](http://sweet-station.com/blog/2011/10/robert-burden/) & [robertburden.net](http://www.robertburden.net/paintings.php) If your [action figures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hawkins-town-action-figures) still hold an important place in your heart and mantel, then the work of artist Robert Burden will definitely tickle your fancy. Using relics from an 80s baby's toy box, Burden has captured the plastic styling of your favorite former playmates meticulously on canvas. Giving these treasured childhood artifacts the kind of attention usually paid to noble man of a bygone era, Burden creates [stoic portraiture](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pix-william-shakespeare) demonstrating the prominence and importance these figures held throughout his early life. Robert Burden compares these plastic toys to "talismans." They are the perfect clean-cut representations of good and evil. They represent an innocence and a childlike understanding of morals, which quickly becomes muddled when entering the world where absolutes do not exist. For anyone who ever played with their [Castle Grey Skull set](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hot-toys-2) while entranced by the latest episode of He-Man, Robert Burden has created just the piece for you. While your significant other might raise an eyebrow at your recent acquisition, the imminent wave of nostalgia Burden's pieces inspire should silence their protests long enough for you to find a place to hang this artwork. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.3/10 - Popularity: 21% | Activity: 10% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/design) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Action Figure Art:** Opportunity for artists to create detailed, nostalgic artwork inspired by action figures from the past. - **Nostalgia Wave:** Growing market for products and experiences that evoke feelings of nostalgia and childhood. - **Toybox Treasures:** Increased recognition and value of vintage toys as collectibles and cultural artifacts. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Art:** Artists can tap into the nostalgia trend and create unique pieces inspired by popular childhood toys. - **Collectibles:** A market opportunity for collectors and enthusiasts to seek and trade vintage action figures and related memorabilia. - **Entertainment:** Opportunity for TV shows, movies, and media platforms to capitalize on the nostalgia wave by rebooting or reviving popular franchises from the past. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Selfie-Based Action Figures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/formlabs.md) - [Artist-Designed Toy Lineups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/art-toy-series.md) - [Pop Art Legend-Honoring Dolls](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/keiichi-tanaami-1.md) - [Selfie-Centric Action Figures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/selfie-series.md) - [Artful Collectible Figures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fisherprice-little-people-x-andre-saraiva.md) - [Artful Motion Toy Sculptures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nina-chanel-abney-bravo.md) - [Comic Book Hero Collectibles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/comic-book-heros.md) - [Playful Collectible Figures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/zsiga-care-bears.md) - [Nostalgic Blind Toy Series](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/teletubbies-say-hello.md)