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About the Exhibition

“The toy is the child’s earliest initiation into art, or rather it is the first concrete example of art .” －Charles Baudelaire

Toys were not only our primary source of childhood amusement and play but also facilitated our early learning, enabling us to understand the world, interact with others, and express emotions, thereby inspiring imagination and creativity. Toys continue to evoke a sense of childlike wonder as we mature, bringing joy and solace. They become hobbies or collectibles for people of all ages, interwoven into the fabric of popular culture alongside the animation industry.

But what if toys were not merely for play or learning? Would they spark more interest if they were elevated to the status of exhibited artworks within the museum space? Upon closer examination, you will discover that these works differ from ordinary toys. Can you spot the differences? How do artists reimagine toys as works of art? What are the similarities and differences between toys and art? How do toys inspire artists as creative elements? What unique traits do these artworks exhibit?

In this exhibition, participating artists Yang Mao-Lin, Tsao Wen-Jui, Yuan Goang-Ming, Chiu Chao-Tsai, Hsu Wei-Hui, Chen Kai-Ren, You Meng-Shu, and Lin Chun-Pin respond to these queries through their toy-related works. They offer us new perspectives on toys, transitioning from shared playful experiences to the artistic realms crafted by these creators. As a visitor, you might also be inspired to explore your creative potential and become the next toy artist.

About the Artworks

Yang Mao-Lin’s sculptures deify toy characters, while Tsao Wen-Jui’s paintings insert anime figures into the real world, blending toys with contemporary cultural conditions to articulate views on modern life. Yuan Goang-Ming’s video installation Smiling Rocking Horse blurs the boundaries between imagery and reality, pondering their connection. Chiu Chao-Tsai links many familiar toys to form an interconnected small universe, sparking imagination.

Hsu Wei-Hui’s Guerilla Girl series and Chen Kai-Ren’s People Wall: Inverted Man 7×7=49 reimagine small figurine models to represent varied societal standings. You Meng-Shu’s LEGO creations and Lin Chun-Pin’s Gundam model parts deviate from their original assembly logic, liberating new expressions while corresponding to the intrinsic quality of materials.