SPLICED LIFE /
ISSUE 05
INTERVIEW / STEPHEN HAYFORD
PLASTIC
FANTASTIC
STEPHEN HAYFORD is a photojournalism turned fine
artist specialising in diorama photography. He creates works for museums, galleries,
Lucasfilm, Disney & more. Pippa Tshabalala used the power of quantum teleportation*
and caught up with the man that gets to play with toys for a living in South West Florida.
Spliced Magazine: Who is
Stephen Hayford?
Stephen Hayford: he carbon-based organism
known as Stephen Hayford is nothing but an
experimental convergence of man and child.
It’s not far from the truth. I’m actually a grown
man who turned a childhood love of action figures
into a career. I make a living playing with toys. And
in between, a life in photojournalism shaped my
photographic style and penchant for satire.
First and foremost, however, I’m a dedicated
father who heeded the warning of a brush with
death. I had my aortic and pulmonary valves
replaced (to correct a congenital disorder). That
second chance at life motivated me to walk away
from news; from documenting death, destruction
and CEO profiles, to pursue my art and have more
time with my family. . . While they still want to have
it with me.
SM: What is Life in Plastics?
SH: “Plastics” is a word that I use to capture the
multiple facets of my work. I use action figures,
styrene, acrylic and other forms of plastic in my
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*We're still not sure if the Pippa that returned was the original or the copy.