the island of misfit toys. davis wohlford | november 5-28, 2026
The Imperfecta Gallery in collaboration with North Pole Studio is proud to present The Island of Misfit Toys.
On view November 5-28, 2026, this exhibition presents work by Portland-based artist Davis Wohlford.
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Every year Davis Wohlford's art practice gives form to an evolving cast of handmade toys. 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.
Hand sewn, machine stitched, felted, painted, sculpted from wood and assembled from found objects, 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.
This year, that world expands into performance. Handcrafted puppets take the stage alongside a musical accompaniment, while familiar fairy tales are dismantled, reimagined, and given unexpected trajectories.
About the artist
Davis Wohlford is a prolific, lifelong artist and the co-founder of North Pole Studio. His work is deeply influenced by characters, stories, and fables that resonate with him and brings narratives to life through diverse mediums. Davis' 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 is also deeply engaged in re-imagining classic books and movies, exploring playwriting, filmmaking, and animation. 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.
the island of misfit toys. explore the collection