Soft, fluffy and full of love, Dean Hoy transforms hand-me-down soft toys into artistic masterpieces
After graduating from London’s Central Saint Martins in 2019, Dean Hoy’s growing presence in the creative industry has been an unstoppable force. With his work featured in reputable publications such as The Face, Dazed, GATA Magazine and RFD Magazine, the current Sarabande artist has been carving out a distinct path for himself in the competitive landscape.
From film and photography to soft sculpture, Hoy’s multi-disciplinary approach has garnered much online attention. In particular, the artist’s Bears Who Care series – a project where Hoy revitalizes forgotten soft toys – has proven to be a huge success, with brands such as Marc Jacobs Heaven, Kathleen, Apocene, Distal Phalanx and Fantastic Toiles platforming the playful pieces. Now, we talk to Hoy to see what we can expect next from the artist.
Mission: What was the initial inspiration behind your Bears Who Care series?
Dean Hoy: It was about my struggle with care, not necessarily in a depressive way. But more about human negligence and empathy in myself and in the culture. So I looked at a material whose sole focus is care, teddy bears. At the time the Australian bush fire was intense, I married the ideas of battered abandoned bears and animals left behind in the fire. The hope for something better is in the repair of the soft sculptures.
Mission: Can you talk us through your creative process?
Dean Hoy: I find disregarded soft toys and give them a new life. I’ll source them, clean them, and then begin to rebuild, design, and dress them. More recently I focus on character development with each piece, I’m slowly building a Bears Who Care community.
Mission: You’ve previously likened yourself to Sid from Toy Story, did the film hold much significance for you growing up?
Dean Hoy: Yes, it still does. And always will I’m sure. I worry I’m a Disney adult. But yeah, Toy Story 2 specifically affected me, and my obsession with toys, holidays, and airports.
Mission: How was your experience studying Fashion Communication at CSM? What encouraged you to bridge the gap between fashion photography and soft sculpture?
Dean Hoy: I graduated in 2019. Through my studies, I had some great teachers who pushed me to focus on my identity, and it was where I truly started to expand my research.
I’ve slowly moved from fashion photography to soft sculpture as I wanted to get away from screens and use my hands more. Also, to have a body of work that I had full control over, where I could get people to engage with my work, and not the other way around as much. That’s what I needed at the time.
Mission : Your collaboration with @weareflwr has led to a beautiful outcome. How was it working with Holly? Do you think you tap into similar themes?
Dean Hoy: Thank you! Holly is a best friend so it was smooth, we just got to talk about graves, decaying flowers, and sad n’ cute things like past lovers. Our tastes low-key blend through cemeteries. She’s so talented, a scream, and I trust her fully, I’m excited to continue working with FLWR.
Mission: What barriers, if any, have you experienced in accessing the industry?
Dean Hoy: I think there are many barriers for everyone in different ways. I think when you don’t come from a background that’s creative or has a relationship with art there’s a lot of learning to catch up on. The barriers a lot of the time are in my head, trying to rationalize and understand why it’s okay to do this (create art) as a job. I say they’re in my head, they are, but that’s a result of much wider problems.
Mission: How would you like to see your work develop and how are you approaching this?
Dean Hoy: I want to expand on the concepts behind my work, which I’m going to do this year whilst in residency at Sarabande. I’m trying to listen to my instincts, so that’s been my approach.
Mission: Do you have any tips for other emerging creatives hoping to enter the industry?
Dean Hoy: I don’t know if I’m the person to give tips, but I love when Fiona Apple said ‘go with yourself’ in her awards speech. So I’d tell people to watch that. My soft sculpture work was me just fully going with myself against a fairly set-up photography career, where I maybe could’ve made more money in a linear route, but would’ve always thought ‘what if’. I remember an interview with Michaela Coel was the final push in that decision.
In saying all that, my tip is look at the people who inspire you, and see how they live. Some of it will stick. I started reading and listening to Maya Angelou in 2019, and she has since forever changed how I see the world. As a result, I know she’s changed my career & creative approach.
All imagery courtesy of Dean Hoy.
