The Power of Toys

The Power of Toys is an exploration of adult relationships with toys. A drawing of a toy can accidentally give that toy the ability to speak to the artist or viewer, revealing an unexpected attitude in the portrayal. Whether they draw or not, many people maintain a relationship with childhood toys and find them useful as a companion, a sounding board, or even an alter ego. So the relationship between human and toy goes beyond the normal perception of children’s play to provide therapeutic benefits for many adults. This project will explore the power of toys to act as another voice for the adult through conversations with individuals, fellow artists, art therapists, and curators of toy collections. The aim will be to promote a better understanding of the beneficial power of toys.