Hatch Art Gallery presents: TOYS!
Hatch Admin
Painting by Amy Fell
November 4th - December 3rd, 2023
Opening reception: Saturday, November 4th, 6 - 9 pm
Artist talk: Saturday, November 11th, 2 pm
Hatch Art Gallery, 3456 Evaline, Hamtramck, MI
Gallery Hours:
Thursdays & Fridays, 6pm - 9pm
Sundays & Saturdays, noon - 5pm
“Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.” This famous quote from Pablo Picasso is often misinterpreted, thinking it is advice to artists to tap into your inner child to make art. Rather, it is a challenge to keep the need for art you had in youth remain with you despite the sobriety of adulthood.
The enjoyment of art is experienced in myriad ways—historic significance, academic analysis, social appreciation, technical wizardry, and simple delight. Simple delight arguably is the most childish of the list, understanding that ‘childish’ is not a negative judgment in this instance. Rather, it is the most intuitive and immediate response, a guttural feeling that motivates you to want to engage with the work with an inner-explosion of excitement.
Toys are all about this kind of joy. The thrills that toys gave us as children are never forgotten. Collectors, gamers, and sports fans all actively seek ways to recapture this exuberation, as do the artists in this show. “Toys!” has interactive games, depictions of toys, appropriated familiar objects, and fantastical creations all meant to give simple delights.
Featuring: Amy Fell, Andy Malone, Shaina Kasztelan, Eric Mesko, Madeleine Barkey, Jessica Harvey, Greg Carr, and Mike Thompson
Curated by Christopher Schneider, Hatch Art Gallery Director