There isn't a child in America, probably the wider world, that doesn't have an experience with a Mattel toy. Hot Wheels, Barbie, Masters of the Universe, American Girl, Matchbox cars... I mean, UNO is a Mattel card game. Mattel and the visual identities they have created are weaved into the fabric of childhood and often adulthood. As we delve deeper into the universe of Mattel, we see a company that is keenly aware of its place in the shifting landscape of culture and art. By harnessing the power of nostalgia while embracing bold, new designs, Mattel has carved out a remarkable niche within the art world and the hearts of collectors. In this way, what began as simple toys has transformed into powerful cultural artifacts—inviting us all to engage with the play of both childhood and adulthood.
Which is what makes the show, Toys As Art, Art Inspired By Toys: Mattel's 80th Anniversary Group Exhibition, Corey Helford Gallery's alliance with Mattel Creations, Mattel, Inc.’s, a special exercise of seeing how collaboration and collaborative thought can connect. Artists, especially the ones we have covered over the years, are often influenced by the wider popular culture around them, whether it is a direct influence or something evocative that ends up in the fine art practice. What the show will present is the "legendary toy company’s year-long 80th anniversary celebration, a special event that will feature new and original, one-of-a-kind artwork, inspired by Mattel’s iconic brands, from over 80 visionary artists around the globe."
The likes of Mark Ryden, Paul Frank, Brandi Milne, DABSMYLA, Gary Baseman, D*Face, Nettie Wakefield, Soey Milk and others have taken on and transformed the likenesses of Mattel's iconic brands (including Barbie®, Hot Wheels®, Fisher-Price®, American Girl®, Thomas & Friends™, UNO®, Masters of the Universe®, Matchbox®, Monster High®, MEGA®, Polly Pocket®) in what will be both a familiar aesthetic and completely original showcase.
In the end, Mattel is more than just a toy company; it is a bastion of creativity, pushing the boundaries of what toys can mean and how they can inspire the next generation of artists, designers, and dreamers. For a magazine like ourselves that is born from Pop, this show is vital to our story as well. —Evan Pricco