Krasl Art Center presents Malcolm Taylor: Prologue, The State of Play, on view February 7 through May 10, 2026 in the ArtLab. The exhibition opens with a free public reception on Friday, February 6, from 6 – 8 PM.
The State of Play marks Benton Harbor–based photographer Malcolm Taylor’s first gallery exhibition, offering an adventurous exploration of storytelling through action figure photography. Taylor stages intricate miniature sets and captures them in vivid, cinematic photographs that blur the line between play and narrative. Featuring characters drawn from comics, video games, and pop culture, the works are infused with humor, nostalgia, and imagination, inviting viewers into fully realized worlds at a toy-sized scale.
Rooted in Taylor’s lifelong engagement with pop culture and collecting, the exhibition reflects on how play functions as a serious mode of storytelling, one that shapes identity, subcultures, and shared experience. Through carefully composed scenes and dramatic lighting, Taylor elevates familiar figures into complex protagonists, transforming small-scale objects into expansive visual narratives.
“Video games and comics have always played a major role in shaping how many of us, both young and old, view the world,” says Taylor. “As modern vehicles for storytelling, these mediums have inspired millions with the narratives they tell and the shared experiences they create. I’m excited to share a piece of my story—told through my lens and the toys that helped shape my imagination.”
Malcolm Taylor is a Benton Harbor–based artist and a lifelong collector of pop culture artifacts. His photographic practice celebrates craftsmanship, cultural significance, and the enduring power of storytelling.
A presentation of Taylor’s work at the Richard Hunt Studio Center is planned for a future date.
