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. 

‘The Madonna and Child’ (oil on wood panel, 24 in x 18 in) by Bennett Slater

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. 

‘He-Man transforms into a London Police Robot’ (acrylic paint and indelible ink on Brussels linen, 23.75 in x23.75 in) by The London Police

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.
 

'Swell' (acrylic on canvas, 48 in x 72 in) by Gary Baseman

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 2-4pm: 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 2-3:30pm: Hear a diverse panel of artists share childhood stories featuring their favorite Mattel toys, as well as discuss their creative process, inspirations, and more

· Saturday, April 5th from 2-3:30pm: 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

‘Outlook Not So Good’ (acrylic on canvas, 20 in x 16 in) by Luke Chueh

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. 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." 

'Buddy' (oil on canvas, 28.75 in x 24 in) by Yokoteen

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 7-11pm, 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.

'Beautiful Monsters' (acrylic on panel, 12 in x 16 in) by Jasmine Becket-Griffith

About Mattel:
Mattel is a leading global toy and family entertainment company and owner of one of the most iconic brand portfolios in the world. It engages consumers and fans through its franchise brands, including Barbie®, Hot Wheels®, Fisher-Price®, American Girl®, Thomas & Friends™, UNO®, Masters of the Universe®, Matchbox®, Monster High®, MEGA®, and Polly Pocket®, as well as other popular properties it owns or license in partnership with global entertainment companies. Mattel’s offerings include toys, content, consumer products, digital and live experiences. Its products are sold in collaboration with the world’s leading retail and ecommerce companies. Since its founding in 1945, Mattel is proud to be a trusted partner in empowering generations to explore the wonder of childhood and reach their full potential. For more information, visit Mattel.com.  

'Heavy Mattel' (custom framed canvas print, 15 in x 20 in) by Kii Arens

About Inner-City Arts:
Founded in 1989, Inner-City Arts is a creative oasis in the heart of downtown Los Angeles. Professional teaching artists provide a safe and supportive environment where youth engage in a variety of visual, media, and performing arts in a studio setting. Inner-City Arts provides core classes during the instructional day for K-8 students, after-school workshops for teens, college and career prep for high schoolers, and professional development for educators ‒ fostering the crucial skills of collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking for a strengthened community. Their mission is to engage young people in the creative process in order to shape a society of creative, confident, and collaborative individuals. Inner-City Arts envisions a society that honors the human capacity for creativity and values its cultivation in the education of young people. For more information, visit Inner-CityArts.org.

'Skeletor' by Dave Shuten

About Corey Helford Gallery:
Established in 2006 by Jan Corey Helford and her husband, television producer/creator Bruce Helford (The Conners, Lopez vs. Lopez, Anger Management, The Drew Carey Show, and George Lopez), Corey Helford Gallery (CHG) has since evolved into one of the premier galleries of New Contemporary art. Its goal as an institution is to support the growth of artists, from the young and emerging to the well-known and internationally established. CHG represents a diverse collection of international artists, primarily influenced by today's pop culture and collectively encompassing style genres such as New Figurative Art, Pop Surrealism, Neo Pop, Graffiti, and Street Art. Located in downtown Los Angeles (571 S. Anderson St. Los Angeles, CA 90033) in a robust 12,000-square-foot building, CHG presents new exhibitions approximately every six weeks. The gallery is open Tuesday through Saturday from 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm. For more information, visit CoreyHelfordGallery.com and follow on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, Threads, Bluesky, and YouTube. For available prints from CHG, visit CHGPrints.com.

'Barbie Sensei' (acrylic on linen, 16 in x 20 in) by Yumiko Kayukawa

All photos courtesy and copyright each artist, republished with permission