Gloria Is the Real Barbie,
Published in Our Rhythm, Our Blues online exhibition, 2021
60x25 Inkjet printing on archival canvas, 2017.
Barbie and Gloria talk things over.
Published in Our Rhythm, Our Blues online exhibition, 2021
30x40 Inkjet printing on archival canvas, 2018.
Barbies Dream of Becoming Gloria Steinem, 14x11x4 Barbies, Accessories, Inkjet Printing, Cardboard, Duct Tape, 2017.
Survival of the Blondest, 30 x 20x 14
Barbies, Accessories, Inkjet Printing, clear fish tank, duct tape, 2019
Photo by Thelma Garcia
My childhood goddess until age eleven was Barbie, and I jumped to feminist Gloria Steinem at age seventeen. Decades later, after extreme exertion from “doing-it-all” in the form of corporate marketing jobs and intensive NYC parenting, I realized that Gloria and Barbie have a great deal in common.
Barbie and Gloria are not dependent on partners or children for identity. Barbie revolutionized the way girls play with dolls. Before Barbie, the toy industry sold baby dolls, leading them to the role of "mother." Barbie can go anywhere, career-wise: flight attendant, pediatrician, executive. That is, after she changes clothes.
Why do feminists
disrespect Barbie?
Before 1959,
there were only baby dolls, placing girls into mother roles.
Channeling Darwin,
"Survival of the Blondest" is about colorism.
Why does Gloria Steinem look like Barbie?
Barbies Hanging Out Gallery View (2018)