A Creative Collective.
Stuck In Plastic is a creative collective on a journey of photographic exploration. A journey that started this fellowship of toy photographers in 2014.
An expedition that brought some very talented creatives together in a series of fine art exhibitions from Seattle to Paris.
Followed by toy photography safaris around the world.
From the west coast of the US to the east coast of Sweden.
From the ports of Hamburg through the walls of Edinburgh into the city of light, Paris.
And now the Peninsula of Korea.
Wanna-be grown-ups.
A collective of wanna-be grown-ups taking pictures of toys and exploring the whole creative process. From ideation, collaboration and creating beautiful images, to telling stories and sharing our work for all to see. Engaging with our audience and learning from their reactions and feedback, and include it in our creative process. Not just online-hunting for the oh so powerful social media likes and dopamine kicks, but engaging in real live exhibitions and pop up events around the world. From main street art-galleries to geek filled convention centers.
To be stuck in plastic.
Printing large.
On real paper.
For everyone to see.
To inspire others and engage.
To grow ourselves from these creative adventures.
To learn and explore our inner child.
To tell stories.
To take plastic places.
To be stuck in plastic.
About the journey.
One sunny morning this summer we woke up to a surprising email.
Want to have an exhibition in Daejeon, South Korea? Hope to hear from you soon, Suné.
Our initial reaction was one of surprise and wonder. We just finished a series of exhibitions and travels on the European continent, and while we were not sure where this adventure would lead us, we followed Alice into Wonderland and replied. Sure. Let’s talk.
And here we are.
Four months later.
The works have been shipped to South Korea.
We handpicked the 22 prints and dedicated them to #SiPgoesKorea. We worked with Suné to donate them to a good cause at the end of the exhibition. Make them count all the way.
And now we can’t wait to see to the live feed and the images from the opening party next week Saturday.
Unfortunately, we cannot join in real life. Work and other challenges kept us grounded in Europe, but the whole crew will be there in spirit with our toy photography curator, Suné, and who knows, we may pop up on a digital feed as well. We are after all living in a digital age.
Art and Art.
Art and Art is a small art gallery in Daejeon. South Korea’s fifth-largest metropolis with a population of over 1.5 million. Located in the central region of South Korea, Daejeon serves as a hub of toy photography and is at the crossroads of creatives routes throughout Korea with Art and Art tapping into these vines of creativity. The capital Seoul is only 50 minutes away by KTX high-speed train, which makes the toy photography exhibition in this tranquil gallery an ideal excursion for anyone living or visiting the Korean Peninsula and wanting to take a break from busy life.
The works
We will be exhibiting a handpicked collection of 22 toy photography works by our creative collective members Maëlick, Julien, Karine, Stefan and Boris.
The works will be shown in the Art and Art gallery from Friday the 16th of November until Thursday 22nd. After this the 22 signed and numbered photographs will be donated to a child charity in Daejeon to further serve as a creative message of friendship and inspiration around the globe.
The Creative Collective
Boris Vanrillaer (Belgian living in Sweden), Stefan Matthies (German), Julien Ballester (French), Maëlick Claes (Belgian living in Finland), and Karine Linder (French).
Our Toy Photography Curator: Sune Horn