COLLECTION FOREWORD We are proud to present a collection of limited edition artworks to celebrate the twenty-fifth anniversary of one of the most iconic video game characters: Sonic the Hedgehog. Four of our critically acclaimed contemporary artists have come together to produce a body of fine art inspired by the legacy and history of Sonic the Hedgehog, with each piece accompanied by a certificate of authenticity, hand signed by Naoto Ohshima, one of the founding members and designers of the original Sonic franchise. The collection pays homage to one of the most influential characters to have dominated the video game industry over the last quarter of a century. Video games have weathered the test of time admirably, more relevant today than ever before, transcending age, gender and culture. No other digital medium has so successfully captured the imagination and inspired so many people. Driven by modern society’s obsession with media and role models, video game characters now stand alongside sports and film celebrities in popularity and influence. They have their own TV shows, movies, comic books,
music albums and theme parks, something unheard of only fifty years ago, at the start of the home computer revolution. Sonic the Hedgehog is a video game franchise created and produced by SEGA®. The protagonist of the series is an anthropomorphic blue hedgehog named Sonic, whose peaceful life with his friends, Tails, Amy and Knuckles, is interrupted by the series’ main antagonist, Dr. Eggman, attempting to destroy Sonic and to acquire the powerful Chaos Emeralds. The first game in the series, released in 1991, was conceived by SEGA’s Sonic Team division and was a landmark success that inspired sequels and transformed SEGA into a leading video game company during the 16-bit era. This new collection celebrates the iconic design and cultural significance of one of the world’s greatest video game characters. Sonic has inspired and revolutionised video gaming, a medium as critically essential to modern culture, and as important and relevant, as traditional art centuries before. Timeless and classic yet always modern, Sonic will continue to innovate and inspire new generations for many years to come.
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