Toy model kits, usually relegated to the enthusiastic hobbyist, are turned on their head at Anti-Plastic, currently showing at Flashpoint. The show is filled with nostalgia, juxtapositions and exploration. Artist Anthony Cervino uses scraps of toys and the wiry, plastic structures typically used to contain the parts of pre-assembled model kits, such as planes or cars, and deconstructs them to create various low-relief sculptural settings and landscapes.

Cervino’s work has many easily seen commonalities. All of his compositions are centered on large canvases and painted a uniform gray. The gray is painstakingly applied with a tiny brush, perhaps ironically giving the work a mass-produced feel, but the application pays homage to model enthusiasts, who spend numerous hours on detailing their models. The canvases provide ample white space around each piece, lending a frame and giving focus; they’re are also painted a subtle pastel color, allowing the harsh gray to pop. The subtle coloring infuses the work with feminine undertones, providing a juxtaposition to the masculine subject matter.

Cervino’s work resides somewhere between painting and sculpture, as each piece on display was composed from the ground up, then placed on the wall, making an interesting dynamic. While these common areas are seen throughout the show, Cervino’s work can also be categorized into three different groupings.