ost craft artists deal with misconceptions about their work at some point in their careers, but perhaps none so much as doll artists. To most, dolls are cute or frilly playthings for children, or maybe collectibles. According to many doll artists, few people see them as works of art. The battle to break these stereotypes seems to be reaching a climax, as old efforts persist and new efforts are put forth by doll artists and those who appreciate and support their work.
"I think we're down there at the bottom of the public's list of craft forms," says doll artist Akira Blount. "Whenever I tell people that I make dolls, they immediately say something like, 'Oh, like Cabbage Patch Dolls?' Or, they'll refer to my work as 'doll babies.' I don't even think they realize that they're trivializing my work."
Blount, who makes one-of-kind dolls with her husband Larry, is also the president of the National Institute of American Doll Artists (NIADA). She now leads the 35-year-old organization in its goal to promote the art of the original, handmade doll.
James Croak's "Dirt Baby," 20 inches long, made from cast dirt and resin.
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NIADA holds a conference every year in a different city to encourage doll artists to get together -- the foremost intent of NIADA's founder Helen Bullard. "Helen Bullard felt that by creating an organization that brought doll artists together, they could become a force," explains Blount. "Back then it was a national organization, but we felt because there was such a small group of us already, it would be better to get together on a global scale."
The organization now has members from many other countries including Japan, Germany, France, England and Canada. It has published several books, including the most recent, The Art of the Doll, with information about the artist-members and color photographs of their work.
NIADA
MEMBERSHIP |
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Membership in NIADA is by "election." Work is reviewed by a Standards Committee composed of nine nationally recognized doll artists/members. The intent of this selective process is to maintain the group's high standards for quality doll art.
For more information, contact:
Akira Blount
NIADA
Box 87
Bybee, TN 37713
(423) 625-1160
Web site: www.niada.org
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For Blount, the expansion of NIADA and her acceptance into some of the finest craft shows in the country has indicated that things seem to be changing. "It has been very much an uphill battle," she says. But after 30 years of working in the art form, Blount says, "I've finally seen things begin to change ... little by little. Still, while sometimes I've felt really successful, other times I've felt like I'm being looked down upon even by other artists."
This very thought is what inspired art critic/curator Michael Hinkle to launch his own doll art promotion company, The Doll Art Company, last year. "The problem begins when you mention the word 'doll,'" Hinkle says. "The immediate image that comes to mind is a Barbie or a child's toy. Men especially flinch at the word."
Men other than Hinkle, that is. "The very first time I saw this art, seven years ago, I knew it was very important," he recalls. "It was very exciting to see something new happening in the art world."
FOR
MORE
INFORMATION |
The Doll Art Company
1344 S. Roxbury Dr., #1
Los Angeles, CA 90035
(310) 788-0313
Web site: www.dollartcompany.com
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Hinkle's introduction into the world of doll art came through actress Demi Moore, who hired Hinkle to curate her doll collection. "I have to credit Demi for bringing this work to my attention. We shared a common love for the art, and I will always be thankful for the opportunity I was given in curating her collection," he explains. "After my involvement in one of the foremost collections of doll art, and seeing how misunderstood it is, I had no choice but to try and stir the waters and make some necessary changes. ... Many feel the word 'doll' works against the word 'art,'" continues Hinkle. "I think it is time that it worked for us. This was a key factor in naming the company 'The Doll Art Company,' and the reason for adopting the slogan, 'It's not what you think.'"
The Doll Art Company and NIADA share the same philosophies for overcoming the challenges of public stereotypes -- exposure and persistence. They have even started to work together. Currently, Hinkle is producing a documentary on the 35-year history of NIADA and helping to organize the first show independent of their yearly conference.
The work of the group of artists represented by The Doll Art Company will debut at Media D'Arte's Designer Art in Soho exhibition in New York City, Oct. 2-4.
Hinkle hopes to constantly keep the work of doll artists in front of new audiences, introducing as many as possible to this art form. "I want to provide an arena for the artists to create on their terms," he says, "leaving them to do what they do best. Given the proper exposure, the best doll art will speak for itself."
OTHER
DOLL
ART
PLACES
AND
HAPPENINGS |
The Mann Gallery, The Art of the Doll -- Dedicated to the promotion of contemporary artist dolls, one-of-a-kind and very limited edition, mixed-media figurative sculptures, characters, fantasy and historical figures, etc. -- from decorative to museum quality.
Contact Nancie Mann at:
39 Newbury St.
Ste. 208, 2nd Fl.
Boston, MA 02116
Gallery Address:
895 Randolph Ave.
Route 28
Milton, MA 02186
(617) 266-6266
E-mail: artmann@worldnet.att.net
Web site: www.geocities.com/~artdoll/
Rosalie Whyel Museum of Doll Art is dedicated to the preservation and exhibition of dolls as an art form. The museum is said to be home to one of the world's finest permanent doll art collections, as well as rotating exhibits featuring dolls of various periods and cultures.
Contact:
1116 108th Ave. N.E.
Bellevue, WA 98004
(206) 455-1116 or (800) 440-DOLL
E-mail: Rosalie@MSN.com
San Francisco Bay Doll Art & Ceramic Art Show/Doll Art Competition 1998
Entry date: Oct. 8, 1998, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (PST)
Contact Jean Nordquist at:
Collectible Doll Company
4216 6th Ave. N.W.
Seattle, WA 98107
(206) 781-1963
E-mail: Jean@JeanNordquistDolls.com
Web site: www.thedollnet.com/competition/fact.html
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Noelle Backer is senior editor of The Crafts Report.
