Introduction:
Chances are you’ve probably seen or heard of a doll that goes by ‘Barbie’. The iconic toy has been around for a few years and is a brand, cartoon and a timeless lifestyle. A brand that actually keeps up with changing times and works its way into our culture as something that we can both project and reflect our experiences on.
Today we are going to be speaking with the artist behind the popular profile of ‘Trophy Wife Barbie’. It’s a comedic and reflective take on how Barbie might deal with if she wasn’t plastic but still fantastic.
The Interview:
Tell us something about yourself?
My name is Annelies Hofmeyr. I’m a 39-year old South African-born, Australian-based conceptual artist with a background in Graphic Design and Contemporary Jewellery.
How did you decide to start the Trophy Wife Barbie Instagram account?
I use iconic Barbie imagery, with a little twist, to explore gender issues and the modern female identity while highlighting the limitations of labels. It is often easier to talk about challenging topics using humour and something as non-threatening as a doll. Instagram is a great platform for an image-based project like Trophy Wife Barbie.
I noticed your Barbie has antlers. Does this have some secret meaning/message?
The antlers are a physical representation of a label imposed on her and her friends, likening her/them to hunting trophies. Having labels imposed on you and choosing to live according to stereotypes are two very different things. Nobody is just one thing, yet we often treat people as if they are and their labels become their identity.
You have created a community with several fictional characters. Why did you choose Barbies to portray these characters?
Dolls are non-threatening and allow us to project our feelings and ideas onto them. I use Barbies (and Kens) in an attempt to circumvent censorship and talk about more challenging topics. I think I’ve simply found a new way of talking about old things.
Barbies friends come from a variety of backgrounds, a lot of which are quite marginalized. Tell me more.
I believe the more we see something, the sooner we become desensitized to it. My intention with incorporating LGBTQ and other marginalized communities in everyday scenarios is to invite people to consider what might happen if we focus on the things that we have in common, rather than fear the things that make us different. Being represented, even in doll form, has a tremendously affirming ability. Building people up and promoting confidence and a healthy self-esteem is very important to me.
What do you want to accomplish with this account?
As an artist I feel the Barbie vehicle is one I can take in many directions, including more traditional artistic venues such as gallery exhibitions. There are many ways to reach people and I’m fascinated by different formats of expression.
I’ve launched a website and currently selling prints to help spread the Trophy Wife Barbie message and facilitate discussion outside the realm of social media. When you actually own and interact with an object that carries a message you believe in, that message gets anchored even more deeply, and I’m excited to share that with my followers.
To see all of her work you may explore the Instagram account @trophywifebarbie
