Louise Bourgeois

“I have been to hell and back and let me tell you, it was wonderful.”

"If I get any prettier can I be your baby?"

"Am I showing too much flesh?"

Barbie Chops

Plain Plastic series

'Plain Plastic'

The inspiration for my art work was initially drawn from Marilyn Minter’s shiny and seductive paintings, photographs and videos. I chose female sexuality and the excess of the feminine as my subject matter as I wanted to explore this idea in depth.

I used Barbie to represent what is seen to be the “perfect” female body, in today’s world. Realistically, no female body can look like Barbie, unless it undergoes cosmetic surgery. Why do we want to look like Barbie when she is simply made up of plastic assembled parts?

My main influences are Cindy Sherman, Lisa Yuskavage and Mariel Clayton who all deal with female sexuality in their work. I was particularly interested in the Barbie-like element present in Yuskavage’s and Clayton’s work. Naomi Wolf’s book ‘The Beauty Myth’ gave me great thoughts and ideas.

Manet’s ‘Olympia’ was also in the back of my mind when exploring this idea.

My work is extremely vibrant, luscious and glossy just as I want it to be. The materials used are just as important as the subject matter. I have displayed my work in a series. The Barbie body parts add a sinister touch to my work.

Other artists researched include Frida Kahlo, Amanda Coogan, Paul McCarthy, Anna Gaskall, Nan Goldin and Gerhard Richter.

Final Show

The inspiration for my art work was initially drawn from Marilyn Minter’s shiny and seductive paintings, photographs and videos. I chose female sexuality and the excess of the feminine as my subject matter as I wanted to explore this idea in depth. This led me to research artists such as Cindy Sherman, Lisa Yuskavage and Amanda Coogan, who all deal with female sexuality in their work. I was particularly interested in the Barbie-like element present in Yuskavage’s work. Manet’s ‘Olympia’ was also in the back of my mind while exploring this idea.

I used Barbie to represent what is seen to be the “perfect” female body, in today’s world. Realistically, no female body can look like Barbie, unless it undergoes cosmetic surgery.

My work is extremely vibrant, luscious and glossy just as I want it to be. The materials used are just as important as the subject matter. I have displayed my work in a series. It varies in scale and is flattened to the wall, giving it a poster or sticker-like element.

Other artists researched include Frida Kahlo, Laurie Simmons, Paul McCarthy, Anna Gaskall, Nan Goldin and Gerhard Richter.

Barbie Series