In this series, I played with the idea of suicide. The theme is portrayed through this colourful and symbolic series showing the six most common methods of suicide. But no, I'm not glamourising death or self harm.

 

 

Barbie has been widely criticised for portraying an unattainable standard of perfection. She does not only objectify and embody the "ideal" female body, but also promotes and epitomises an ideal materialistic life - Giant dream houses, extravagant clothes, freedom from any commitments (even to her so-called boyfriend), perpetual happiness... Essentially, Barbie is a tool for self imaging and make-believe: little girls envision that perfect life they hope to live when they play with Barbie - a happy girl (too happy in fact) whose sole life purpose is to make friends, drive big cars, go for pool parties and do everything fun.

 

 

Therefore, the death in this series is actually the death of the perception that life would be smooth sailing as we grow up. Barbie committing suicide symbolises self realization that life cannot and will not be perfect. And therefore through death, she's truly ALIVE.

 

 

FUN FACTS

Meaning behind the title/names:

Aceldama - "Field of Blood"

Laraine - "Sea gull"

Ieva - Latvian and Lithuanian form of Eve

Venetia - Happiness; name made famous by Venetia Stanley who died prematurely at 33

Esther C - Homophone to Ecstasy

Erin - Ideal/perfect girl

 

(Their names are closely related to the theme in each photo)