From “The Flintstones” to the “Jurassic Park” series, humans can’t help but imagine a world where people live with dinosaurs.

Ceramic artist Lorien Stern is the latest to explore that fascination in “Old Friends,” her second solo exhibition at Hashimoto Contemporary. Instead of presenting a realistic, menacing depiction of dinosaurs, Stern has created playful dinos that look ready to cuddle. Bright colors, rounded forms and even smiles characterize these creatures, ranging from a vivid yellow winged pterosaur and a grinning, melon green Tyrannosaurus rex to a cheerful spotted saber-toothed feline and even gleeful prehistoric sea creatures. Stern makes the extinct giants feel not just like old friends, but childhood playmates.

“Sometimes to find joy, you have to take scary risks and remind yourself, ‘Well, I am going to die one day,’ which can help give you the little push you need,” Stern said of her vision for the exhibition.

The works in “Old Friends” feel so happy and energized, you almost expect them to come to life in a Claymation dance. With so many dinosaur stories focusing on the creatures’ ferocity, it’s a delight to see a show that imagines them in a softer light.

— Tony Bravo