Inspired by the book Living Doll: the Return of Sexism by Natasha Walter and the paraphrase by George Orwell, From Girl to Doll reflects on the behaviours towards dolls, as playthings, female forms to aspire to become and sexual objects of desire. The work explores the fusion of girl and doll, looking at a hypersexualised world we live in, in which the pressures and desires to become sexually attractive start at a young age.
In the installation, the figures are displayed as decorative, unconscious, and desired objects, exposed, and restricted in a world of patriarchal thought.
Over 50 dolls were sprayed and hand painted, creating designs inspired by bondage outfits. These were hung in a dark room with mirrors, disco lights and fairy lights and a film of selected archival footage, including the first Barbie commercial, playing in the background. The audio was also distorted using reverb and delay techniques. Framed images of dolls posing in sexy and sexual positions hung on the walls.
The installation was on display at LAC's group art exhibition Weight and See at the Undercroft Gallery, Norwich.
'I wanted to create an immersive experience, by introducing inanimate objects that represent the female form into an uncomfortable and eerie world, that challenges our perceptions of female objectification'.
'Tracy Satchwill shows the values we all need to understand today and always. Excellent’.
Undercroft Gallery visitor
'That Doll installation piece is just incredible’.
'Loved the interactivity of the dolls & girls exhibit. I hope their exploration continues to bear fruit'.
'The dolls scared me but really made me think’.
’The dolls are traumatising'.
'Tracy Satchwill... You are amazing. Beautiful work of art. So interesting. I love dolls. That was amazing. Thank you'.
'Very moving'.
I love the room of Barbies. Truly inspiring'.
‘Loved the suitably sinister doll film and installation’.
'Loved Tracy Satchwill's piece. Great stuff'.
'Cool Dolls'.
Doll exhibition was 10/10! Amazing work!'
'Avoid the dolls'.
Undercroft Gallery visitors
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