IN PLUSH WE TRUST @ ROTOFUGI curated by SHAWNIMAL
Chicago, Illinois- November 18 - December 18, 2005


This exhibition curated by Shawnimal Smith and Rotofugi brings 24 similar and not-so-similar plush artists together to display the plush-based by-product of a set material list and simple instructions. Each artist included in this group exhibition was sent a package consisting of the same supplies.

In addition to the materials provided, artists were also allowed one optional material which they could choose. Also allowed was any plastic or glass eyes or similar items that are hallmarks of the artist. The goal was for each artist to use the supplies provided (plus the optional one) to make one or more piece within the realm of plush, and then put it on display with the other pieces to see just how varied they can be, even though the base materials were essentially the same.

Plush is a unique facet of the burgeoning designer toy arena, in that virtually any interested artist or designer can turn a character design on paper into a tangible form with just a needle, thread, stuffing and fabric. No epoxy resins, molds, manufacturing facilities or otherwise are needed.

Plush is also soft and special, and reminds us of a carefree time in our lives when our career was imagining, and a simple creature could provide the security we needed when lightening flashed and thunderstorms raged above. For these reasons and many others, we trust in plush.