One of the biggest joys for me has been the way others react to my jewelry. It continues to amaze me the range of responses I receive… for some it feeds a sense of nostalgia, others love the inherent humor, some weigh in on the feminist edge and relate to its statement, and then some are creeped out and think it’s dark and disturbing to see “body parts” cut up. (Many think it’s just plain strange!) I love that everyone brings his or her own “baggage” and reaction to the work, indicative of their own relationship with, or feelings about Barbie. One of my biggest goals has been to create art that people can relate to and I think this collection has been successful with this.

I find it intriguing when people describe my work as “disturbing” because I think it reveals the enormous amount of humanness attached to this particular inanimate object. So much so that it appears almost murderous’ to transform her as I do. It seems that for some, the reality of Barbie as toy, (plastic and un-living) is indistinguishable from her imagined or prescribed role as “Woman,” thus again underlining her reach/role as an icon in our society. (OK, actually Barbie was originally marketed as a teenager, but I digress…)

For me personally humor is an important aspect of art, not to be underestimated. I am drawn to art that is clever or makes me giggle. What could be so bad about having a little laugh?! At any rate, thanks again for the feature on WhipUp and for your comments. This is all part of why I love making art jewelry!

I love the deliberate humor and irony in this work too - I think Margaux is very clever to use such a well known product as ‘Barbie’ in her jewellery. It is something we can all identify with and have strong opinions {both positive, and negative} on as an object in the pubic forum….People are always going to feel they know something about ‘her’. This, in part I think contributes to the works accessibility.

It is very progressive and brave to make work that will spark strong opinion, and all the while produce such a full range of jewellery that at the point of market offers this {confronting nature} in varying strengths, thus broadening the market wihout needing to dilute the message. A sign of a talented artist and designer.

In a wider context…this work, for me, brings to mind the work of the Chapman brothers, Goya, various member of the pop-art movement, along with wider aesthetic and cultural traditions such as ‘The Day of the Dead’ in Mexico…in addition to the more obvious reference to body image and the female form {she uses Ken dolls too btw!!} :) - This is contemporary art in wearable form.

…I think all this is why I feel Margaux’s body of work is such a strong one. And, as a jeweller - I absolutely recognise and admire the skill and level of quality in her making.

Long may this kind of work be in our consiousness!!

The sort of jewellery/art/craft which does demand comment and might be considered controversal is going to attract vast difference of opinion - which by the way is fine - everyone does not have to like everything. Thank you for your comments.

Abigail I think you are wonderful to post about this work - I have seen it around but had not noticed the new website. I love to see work that is interesting and crosses so many boundaries - style, taste, political correctness and at the same time is feminist and fun. So thank you.