In April 2023, the streets of Tribeca buzzed with a unique mix of meme culture, NFT collectors, and physical art enthusiasts as Frogs Over Fiat landed in New York City during NFT.NYC. Among the standout highlights was Gregory Taylor, working under gg Toy Company, in collaboration with Darky, unveiling the “PepePanther NYC” collection — six exclusive 1:1 physical sculptures, each paired with a graded Fake Rares art card slab and a corresponding NFT token, merging tangible and digital collectibles.
A Scene Unlike Any Other
The exhibition space at 72 Warren Street pulsed with energy. Attendees navigated a vibrant landscape of artwork, each piece infused with internet culture’s irreverence. The scent of coffee mingled with the faint metallic tang of freshly minted art pieces, while murmurs of excitement rippled through crowds examining Taylor’s hand-crafted figures. The PepePanther collection stood out immediately: bold, mischievous, and unapologetically playful.
“The goal was to bring meme culture to life,” Taylor explains. “These aren’t just figures; they’re characters, personalities, and stories made tangible.”
From Digital Token to Physical Presence
Each PepePanther figure was meticulously crafted under the GG Toy Company banner, embodying the playful yet edgy energy of the online Pepe phenomenon. Alongside the physical sculptures, each figure included a graded Fake Rares art card slab and a unique NFT token, fusing authenticity, collectible value, and blockchain verification. This combination highlighted the intersection of physical and digital art, creating a full-spectrum collector experience.
Taylor approached the project with his signature fusion of sculptural skill and narrative storytelling. Each figure carried subtle variations in pose, expression, and texture, offering collectors a unique experience and a glimpse into Taylor’s meticulous creative process.
Atmosphere and Audience
Collectors and casual viewers alike were drawn into the immersive scene. The hum of conversation blended with the excitement of live auctions, creating an atmosphere where digital culture met tangible artistry. Fans marveled at the tactile experience, while NFT enthusiasts appreciated the careful balance between traditional sculpting, graded collectibles, and crypto-verified ownership.
“There’s something magical about seeing a meme you know online translated into a physical sculpture with a graded slab and digital token,” Taylor notes. “It becomes alive in a way that a screen never can.”
Auction Highlights
The PepePanther NYC figures were auctioned on Scarce.City, with bids ranging from 500,000 to 1,200,000 sats (approximately $360-$865 USD at the time). The combination of exclusivity, hand-crafted artistry, graded card slabs, and NFT-backed provenance created a high-stakes collector frenzy, reflecting the growing synergy between physical art and blockchain culture.
Behind the Collaboration
Taylor’s partnership with Darky was seamless, rooted in shared appreciation for playful irreverence and attention to detail. Working under GG Toy Company, this project marked another milestone in Taylor’s exploration of physical-digital hybrid art, where sculptural craftsmanship, graded collectibles, and NFTs elevate internet phenomena into gallery-worthy, collectible pieces.
“Every line, every color choice was intentional,” Taylor says. “The figures are small, but they carry personality, history, and narrative weight. That’s what makes them special.”
Legacy of Frogs Over Fiat
The event wasn’t just a showcase; it was a cultural statement. Taylor’s PepePanther collection demonstrated that art, humor, and internet culture could coexist, resonate, and thrive in physical spaces. For attendees, it was a chance to witness memes, NFTs, graded slabs, and physical sculptures collide, celebrating the fluidity of modern creativity.
“The collection shows that digital culture isn’t ephemeral,” Taylor reflects. “It can be sculpted, held, graded, tokenized, and cherished. That’s the essence of what we were creating in NYC — a bridge between worlds.”
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