I’m thrilled to share the opening of my solo toy photography exhibition, "Out of the Toybox: The Toy Photography of Mitchel Wu," at the renowned Science Museum Oklahoma. This 400,000 square-foot museum attracts 600,000 visitors annually and is recognized by Newsweek Magazine as one of the best science museums in the U.S. It’s the perfect venue for an
exhibition that appeals to all ages and celebrates creativity and play.

"Out of the Toybox" is the first exhibition of its kind and scale, featuring over 50 prints displayed throughout the gallery. It also features 12 behind-the-scenes setups, giving viewers an inside look at how I craft my images. It's astonishing to see the actual setups in person, contrasted with the final images on the wall. Together, they demonstrate the magic and unlimited possibilities of toy photography.

Seeing both kids and adults engage with my work in person, rather than just scrolling through images on a phone screen, has been incredibly rewarding. Additionally, there is a toy photography experience zone where guests can try their hand at toy photography. The exhibition runs for 15 months and concludes in August 2025.

The below video is a walk through the exhibition, highlighting my behind-the-scenes setups on the gallery floor. These setups, along with the overall scale and quality of the exhibition, are what makes "Out Of The Toy Box” such a unique, engaging exhibit.

One of my goals for this exhibition is to reignite people's passion for toys and play. I believe adults enjoy viewing toy photography as much as kids, if not more, because it reminds them of the significant role toys and play had in their childhood. Nostalgia plays an important role in my work, transporting adults back to their childhood and reminding them of the stories, cartoons, movies, and toys they once loved.

“Out of the Toybox” also helps promote my mission of shining a light on toy photography and the global toy photography community. Over the years, my fellow toy photographers and I have transformed this once little-known, underground art form into a mainstream phenomenon. Toy photography has the power to inspire both those who create it and those who view and enjoy it. It is a positive, inclusive activity that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. All you need is a toy, a camera (even a cell phone camera will do!), and your imagination.

Many thanks to my friends at Boss Fight Studio and Schleich USA for their support and partnership with this exhibition. A special shout-out to Azhelle Wade, AKA The Toy Coach, for being the catalyst that brought Science Museum Oklahoma and me together. And of course, a huge thank you to the team at Science Museum Oklahoma, especially Alyson Atchison, Director of Galleries and Collections, for doing everything possible to reach and exceed the vision I had
for this exhibition.

Mitchel Wu Toy Photography

mitchel@mitchelwutoyphotography.com

www.mitchelwutoyphotography.com