Smash Bash is an annual kitbashing contest put on by @totally_not_panicking. The results for the 4th Smash Bash were announced on July 19th. You can see my write up of the previous contests here for 2022 and 2023.
Content warning for some mild to moderate body horror in the images below.
The Contest
The theme this year was BATTLE ROYALE – “A fight to the death. Many enter, one stands supreme.” Which is a great way of saying ‘do whatever you want’. The top three entrants receive a custom trophy created by Hannes Rhodin. Again this year Ana Polanšćak has sculpted some custom miniatures available in the Smash Bash shop.
Statement from totally_not_panicking
“The battle royale has been fought and Smash Bash 2024 is coming to a glorious close. You can find all the combatants up at smashbash.org under the battle royale folder. Thanks so much to everyone that entered. Every year, the level goes up, as does the talent on display. Seeing your takes on the prompts, your encouragement of other people entering, and the overall feeling of elation that surrounds the event is unmatched. Whatever comes of the results for you, know there were many entries that were close to the front. Ana and I appreciate the trust you’ve placed in us.
Big shoutout to @gardensofhecate for judging again this year. She’s put in a lot of kindness and heart into her efforts. Without her discerning and compassionate eye, none of this would be possible. So thanks to her. Thanks also to @hannesrhodin for always crushing the trophies, @troynixey for the art, and @luxthantor for some extra prizes. Thanks as well to my wonderful partner, the real reason this goes on every year.
Again, speaking of support, everyone here, who makes this happen, is an artist in their own right. Go support them. Buy something from them. They’re the reason any of this is any good. Buy their work, they’re alive, and could use the support. That’s the most fulfilling thank you there is. I’ve also transitioned into full time painting and kitbashing, so dropping a sub here, or getting in touch with me to do work would be wonderful, so I can keep funding this for years to come. Be the change you want to see in the world. Nazis fuck off.”
Xo
Tnp
Winner Showcase
Four winners were selected, and they are in no particular order. Judges comments from Ana Polanšćak and totally_not_panicking are included below. All the handles used are for instagram.
@manyworldsminiatures
“The right kind of playful and gruesome, and a really wonderful, light (yet grimdark) palette. The color combination is effective; the figures aren’t lost in the scenery, and the orange in the background frames them and suggests explosions and mayhem of the ongoing battle.
Divine sculptural details and great freak shit. Wonderful custom modeling on the figures. The entire scene belongs on the cover of an old Warhammer Codex (and I’m pretty sure that was the idea behind this lovely diorama).”
@deadmeatx_x
“Uncannily good. Definitely a stand out piece! As a wearable diorama it’s part miniature and part fashion piece. The fact it survived a photoshoot with a live model, even with a moving part (the visor) testifies to the quality of the craftsmanship. Divinely refined, photographed, and executed. Unparalleled.”
@moldmoldmold
“Singular vision, singularly executed. Transported me to an alien world of uncomfortable dreams. A fever dream of the prompt. The choice of simple historical figures keeps one foot in reality, and that makes the outlandish monstrosities all the more freaky! Wonderful juxtaposition throughout. A modern day Bosh.”
@steves_paint_brush
“Rad idea to turn an everyday object into a surreal artwork. The sculpting and painting are both excellent! A wonderful interpretation of the prompt, beautifully rendered, sculpted and painted. A sense of scale and carnage and whimsy that matches the call. Leaning into practical objects and reflecting them back is a wonderful turn. Belongs in a museum.”
Commended Entries
That wraps up our coverage of Smash Bash 2024: Battle Royale. There are so many great entries this year, I highly suggest looking through all the entries on the Smash Bash galleries – BR1, BR2, BR3. Also, big shout out to totally_not_panicking for putting this together every year.
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