Who you calling doll?

March 2nd, 2010 at 05:15pm jessica stoller

Untitled_ 2010, porcelain, chinapaint, decal, 12"x 5.25"x 4"

I wanted to take this opportunity to acknowledge a trend that has been occurring when individuals refer to my work. People often use the term  ”doll” when addressing it.  I find the doll comments revealing as they enable me to reflect on my intent and how the work is functioning to the viewer.

Although this might be a conversation more rooted in semantics I think one aspect resides around intention.  Intentionality plays a large part in how we view and distinguish between commonplace and fine art objects. The intention of a work of art utilizing the language of “dolls” is very different than actually being a doll. By doll I mean something that a child / adult would collect for its beauty, nostalgic value, or historical significance.

I am interested in the dualism of referencing the innocence of a ceramic doll while simultaneously dismantling and subverting it. As with any work of art, utilizing appropriated images or styles can limit a work and serve as the primary signifier rather than reveal the artist’s intention.

In thinking of other artists who reference ceramic figurines I can’t help but notice the proximity of Viola Frey’s work to this discussion. The exhibition “Viola Frey: Bigger, Better, More,” includes her common place objects of affinity and thus their presence creates interesting insight and dialogue with her monolithic works.  Frey calls to mind these collective images and under her skilled hand the commonplace becomes the compelling.

In my work I am interested in doing the same, although the initial female figure references a ceramic doll, an  investigation of established ideas of constructed femininity, adornment, and martyred saints transcends the traditional function of a doll. I use the inviting scale as a tool to lure the viewer while revealing something more subversive than the porcelain objects displayed in grandma’s cabinet. Bordering between delight and disgust my current work intermingles imagined and historical narratives to breathe new life into the realm of the ceramic figure.

Come visit the open studio on Wednesday and we can discuss!

Entry Filed under: in the studio