The Island of Misfit Toys
The Island of Misfit Toys is an exhibition presenting work by Davis Wohlford. Inspired by the fictional place of The Island of Misfit Toys, its characters occupy the margins of conventional narratives, finding possibility in their differences and agency in their own stories.
Featuring toys assembled from found objects, crafted by hand sewing, machine stitching, felting, and painting. Davis's endless resourceful approach to materials yields creations that suggest personalities and histories beyond their physical forms. These are not simply objects to be observed, they are created to be played with, loved, and to inspire one's imagination. The toys welcome you to explore an alternate world of their own; an immersive world that Davis builds and shares with his audience.
Featured Artist - Davis Wohlford
Davis Wohlford (b. 1999) is a prolific, lifelong artist and the co-founder of North Pole Studio, a Portland-based progressive art studio. As a storyteller, Davis’s work is deeply influenced by the characters, stories, and fables that resonate with him. He brings these narratives to life through a diverse range of mediums, including sculpture, painting, and fiber arts, though he is perhaps most well-known for his vibrant, large-scale mixed media paintings. These works depict a vast array of interconnected characters and fantastical subjects who inhabit North Pole Jr., a self-constructed, multidimensional magical land that Davis has developed over time. His art is a window into this imaginative world, where whimsy and complexity coexist, and every piece is a chapter in an ongoing narrative.
Davis’s approach to storytelling is not limited to visual arts. In addition to his work as a painter and sculptor, he is deeply engaged in re-imagining classic books and movies. His interest in narrative extends into playwriting, filmmaking, and animation, where he seeks to reinterpret familiar tales and offer them new perspectives. This multifaceted creative practice reflects Davis’s belief in the power of storytelling as a means of both personal expression and universal connection. Whether through the visual richness of his paintings or the dynamic exploration of narrative in his written and filmed work, Davis Wohlford’s art is a reflection of his boundless imagination and his desire to craft worlds that invite others to explore and find meaning in the stories he creates.
