Toter Tots #20 (Pepe Smurf)

This collection parodies well known memes, creators and personalities of the Crypto/NFT Art space. It riffs off retro cartoon references of the 1970s-1980s; Topps trading cards like Garbage Pail Kids and Weird Wheels, satirical Art of publications like MAD, Beano and Whizzer & Chips. Oh, so you’re seeing little blue men you say? There may be a reason why! Initially appearing as Papa smurf indulging in a little recreational mind bending, this is actually a more complex 4-in-one reference deal. Based not only on a parody of Wastequip LLC’s 'Toters' and Ore-Ida’s 'Tater Tots', but like much meme-based work in the Crypto Art space becomes increasingly self-referential with many layers reflecting history and/or events. In this case I take previous Toter Tots from this series (Peepee Frog and Poopee Frog) which riffed off Matt Furie’s viral sensation ‘Pepe Frog’ character; then overlay it with the iconic cartoon characters The Smurfs, originally created in 1958 by Peyo (nom de plume of Pierre Culliford , not short for Peyote). Credit goes to former Toter Tots subject Artist Second Realm (Eric Rhodes) for suggesting this concept.