Dawn Hunter Art® My Barbie Series: Device for an Emotional Journey
Formal and pop traditions are addressed in these Barbie drawings by
combining seemingly disparate objects and images. I began using dolls in my
artwork as a means of exploring traditional topics of perception by organizing
them in still-lifes. After selecting Barbie as the central subject for some of my
artwork, I initially explored the impact that twentieth-century technology had
on the creation of Barbie. As a child she was my favorite toy, her quality and
beauty unrivaled. My memories of play and past perceptions led me to
explore her identity as a prize/trophy representation of femininity. Using
graphite, ink and watercolor, I created each work with a general feeling or
idea in mind, and by posing a doll as one might pose a live model. I did not
predetermine content of the drawings. By responding to the materials and
image, I discovered and developed the narrative in form and content for each
work. By utilizing Barbie as a surrogate and stereotype, I deconstructed her
unobtainable status by juxtaposing her against multiple-image narratives that
portray domesticity and mortality in content. The images were taken from
popular movie stills, and addressed political and gender issues while
simultaneously serving as personal testimony.
Dawn Hunter
Barbie Smackdown, graphite, acrylic and ink on paper, 30" x 40", 2004
Dawn Hunter
Study for Vampire, graphite and ink
on paper, 18" x 24", 2003
Dawn Hunter
Touch Your Woman, acrylic on board, 18" x 24", 2002
Dawn Hunter
Public Burt, Private Burt, graphite, charcoal and ink on paper,45" x 48", 2002
Dawn Hunter
Something Personal, graphite, acrylic and ink on paper, 44" x 48", 2002
Dawn Hunter
Frightened by Her Imagination, acrylic and ink on paper, 30" x 40", 2004
Dawn Hunter
Device for an Emotional Journey, graphite, acrylic and ink on paper,
22" x 29", 2002
Dawn Hunter
Dying Woman, graphite, charcoal and ink on paper, 22" x 29", 2002
Dawn Hunter
Study for Something Personal, graphite, acrylic and ink on paper
18" x 24", 2004
Dawn Hunter
Vampire, graphite,acrylic and ink on paper, 30" x 40", 2004
Dawn Hunter
Barbie Smackdown, 2, graphite, acrylic and ink on paper, 30" x 40", 2004
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