Downtown Los Angeles’ Corey Helford Gallery (CHG) is excited to announce its next major collaboration, Toys as art, art inspired by toys: Mattel's 80th anniversary group exhibition, in partnership with Mattel Creations, Mattel, Inc.’s collaboration platform that invites artists and creators to reimagine the company’s rich intellectual properties. Set to debut on Saturday, March 15th in the Main Gallery, marking the kick-off of the legendary toy company’s year-long 80th-anniversary celebration, this special event will feature new and original, one-of-a-kind artwork, inspired by Mattel’s iconic brands, from over 80 visionary artists around the globe. Full artist lineup below.

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 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.

Toys as art, art inspired by toys: Mattel's 80th anniversary group exhibition will be accompanied by a series of curated events hosted at CHG while the show is on display, 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, Jim McKenzie, ONCH, and more) 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 Toys as art, art inspired by toys 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, coarse, 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, shy.jpeg, 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.