The Toys We Carry

Masculinity is often shaped by the objects we encounter in childhood—tools that serve as markers of identity and ideals. A dumbbell, a toy truck, a plastic gun: each carries its own narrative, its own symbolism. These objects are not neutral; they act as instruments in the performance of an exaggerated and often rigid version of what it means to be a man.

The plastic gun, a harmless toy in appearance, emerges as a particularly potent symbol. It evokes power, aggression, and dominance—traits deeply rooted in traditional notions of masculinity. Yet, it is also a playful object, a paradox that blurs the line between innocence and indoctrination.

The Toys We Carry is a series that examines these objects and their impact. Through photographs and installations, the work invites reflection on how such symbols influence our understanding of masculinity. The toy gun becomes a focal point: both a relic of childhood and a vessel of critique, questioning how the ideals of strength and control are instilled from an early age.

Growing up identifying as male, these objects surrounded me, shaping the expectations placed upon me. And yet, I often found myself disconnected from the world they represented—an experience of estrangement in the face of a culture that demanded conformity.

This project is an invitation to revisit these symbols, to sit with their contradictions, and to consider how they mold identity. The juxtaposition of toys and art creates a sense of unease, as if to ask: are these truly innocuous objects, or do they carry a weight far beyond their form?