My Work - Bratz

Over lock-down, in an attempt to keep myself vaguely entertained, I found myself reverting back to things I had loved as a child. Whether it was playing Sims or watching Disney films on the newly released Disney+ app, these long-forgotten loves from my past got me thinking what else I could have forgotten, and how could these things influence me now. Additionally, I also thought about how things from my childhood influenced me then, which took me

straight to the age-old 'Barbie' debate. Was she a negative role model for young girls, with her stick-thin figure, sleek, long, blonde hair and white, blemish-free skin? Or, was she a positive role model, from her extensive list of job titles, to simply teaching children how to share, and telling us anarray of wonderful stories in the countless Barbie films. Personally, I loved my dolls, but i can't deny wanting to look like them, particularly my favourite 'Bratz'. I adored their full lips, scandalous outfits and fashionable hairstyles. Even today, looking at social media influencers, and models in magazines, they display these same characteristics, and have the same impact on others desiring to look like them.

As an ode to younger me, and, admittedly, me now, I decided to make my dreams come true and turn myself into a Bratz doll. My waist went in about 10 inches, and my hair grew about the same. I modernised it slightly, by putting myself into an outfit which I actually own and wear. Finally, the background was filled with my all-time favourite colour and it was complete. It was so much fun to make this piece, and reminded me of the fun I used to have when playing with these same dolls, linking again to how I was rediscovering my inner child during lock-down.

From this, many of my friends requested to also be transformed into the dolls of their dreams, and I used the same process for them as I did for me, adding elements of their personalities and actual facial features to them. eventually, it became a way for me to connect with friends when I couldn't physically see them.

Moving forward, I'd love to learn how to animate these pieces, as to add even more personality to them. A wink or wave would be fun, or even just their hair moving in a breeze.