Mattel Creations collaborates with artists, designers, and pop culture icons to create unique collectible versions of Mattel’s toys that appeal to both adult collectors and art enthusiasts. To celebrate the anniversary milestone, the El-Segundo, CA-based company and CHG are bringing together a diverse range of established and emerging artists, each with a unique story to tell, to reimagine Mattel’s toys into compelling works of art, weaving personal narratives and childhood memories into a rich tapestry of creative interpretation.
From the “Godfather of Pop Surrealism” Mark Ryden and art icon Paul Frank to the award-winning interdisciplinary artist Gary Baseman and world-renowned London-based multimedia artist D*Face, these artists will explore how 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®, and more) have shaped imaginations and inspired creative journeys across generations. This exhibition stands as both a celebration of Mattel's legacy and a testament to the transformative power of play in shaping artistic expression. In addition, this joyous experience will also offer attendees an exclusive glimpse into the company’s history with the Mattel Creations Gallery Space in Gallery 3. Each wall will feature a vibrant, artistic, and engaging display of Mattel’s most popular brands, taking audiences on a journey of origin stories and creative processes behind their toys, as well as the artistry and craftsmanship of their present-day reimagined collectibles.
Mattel's 80th Anniversary Group Exhibition will be accompanied by a series of curated events hosted at CHG (free to attend, no RSVP required), including:
Saturday, March 22nd from 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm: Meet featured artist Gary Baseman for a signing of his UNO deck and hear about how toys and growing up in Los Angeles influenced his art, plus join in for UNO Game Play
Saturday, March 29th from 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm: Hear a diverse panel of artists (including Brandi Milne, Gary Baseman, Luke Cheuh, Jasmine Beckett-Griffith, Jim McKenzie, and ONCH) share childhood stories featuring their favorite Mattel toys, as well as discuss their creative process, inspirations, and more
Saturday, April 5th from 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm: Re-connect with your inner-child through a playful workshop hosted by Case Kenny (author, mindfulness expert, and host of the popular podcast New Mindset, Who Dis?) + UNO Game Play
The artist roster for Mattel's 80th Anniversary Group Exhibition features:
Adam Wallacavage
ADD FUEL
Ana Bagayan
Andrea Guzzetta
Andrew Brandou
Annie Montgomerie
Anthony Ausgang
Anthony Sunter
Bennett Slater
Bob Dob
Bob Gibson from The London Police
Brady Willmott
Brandi Milne
Camilla d'Errico
Case Maclaim
Cey Adams
Chen-Dao Lee
Chishi Morimura
Christopher Ulrich
Christybomb
Clémentine Bal
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D*Face
DABSMYLA
Dan Lam
Dave Bondi
Dave Shuten
Dena Seiferling
Eric Joyner
Ewa Prończuk-Kuziak
Fidia Falaschetti
Gary Baseman
Ginger Chen
Handiedan
Harald Austad
HERA of Herakut
Hikari Shimoda
Iris Kim (Inner-City Arts)
Jasmine Becket-Griffith
JD King
Jennybird Alcantara
Jim McKenzie
Joe Ledbetter
Johnny KMNDZ Rodriguez
Jun Makita
Junko Mizuno
Kellesimone Waits
Kelogsloops
Kent Williams
Kiera Evans (Inner-City Arts)
Kii Arens
Korin Faught
Lucy Sparrow
Luke Chueh
Madeline Chae (Inner-City Arts)
Marc Le Rest
Marilyn Garcia (Inner-City Arts)
Marion Peck
Mark Ryden
Mark Todd
Matthew Dutton
Miss Mindy
Natalia Fabia
Nate Frizzell
Nathan Ota
Nettie Wakefield
Nouar
ONCH
Paul Frank
Richard Ahnert
Robert Palacios
Sas Christian
Scott Hove
Sean O'Meallie
Shantell Martin
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Simone Legno
Soey Milk
Sun-Mi
Sylvia Ji
Tarina Tarantino
Travis Lampe
Victor Castillo
Xue Wang
Yoko d'Holbachie
Yokoteen
Yumiko Kayukawa
Zoé Byland
As part of a larger partnership aiming to inspire and support youth on their creative journey, Mattel Creations is inviting four students from Inner-City Arts to showcase their work in the show (names featured in lineup above). Since 1989, Inner-City Arts has been empowering Los Angeles children, teens, and the community through the transformational power of the arts.
Mattel’s Executive Vice President and Chief Brand Officer, Lisa McKnight, shares: "Since its founding by Ruth and Elliott Handler, Mattel has been a creations company, powered by artists, designers, and trailblazers. As we celebrate our 80th anniversary, it's only natural we would collaborate with artists to reimagine our iconic brands, where our toys become a canvas for their art. This partnership between Mattel Creations and Corey Helford Gallery is an exciting invitation for the world to join us in celebrating the unique intersection between art, toys, and imagination."
Open to the public (all ages) and free of charge, Toys As Art, Art Inspired By Toys: Mattel's 80th Anniversary Group Exhibition is set to debut on Saturday, March 15th from 7:00 pm – 11:00 pm, alongside a solo show, titled Or You Could Panic, by British contemporary figurative artist Ben Ashton in Gallery 2. The exhibitions will be on view at CHG through April 19th.
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