Self Portrait Doll

This doll is an abstraction of myself and my story. As a teenager I had to grow up to be an adult quite quickly. I was left alone at the age of 16 to finish off high school while my mother went to work in a different country. Though she supported me, I had to figure out how to pay bills, buy groceries, and all the adult tasks one needs to be able to do. So within the head of this doll I had displayed a stairwell climbing upward from child hood to adult hood. This was one of my key features describing my story within this doll. I had also included a light within the head to not only display this aspect but to symbolize that even through the tough time I had this bright light of hope still within me. Another form of symbolism I chose to put in was a Holiday season. Christmas was such a cherished holiday for my family because my mother would go out of her way to make things festive for us. So I had put a snowy Christmas tree within the chest of this doll because it is a season so dear to my heart. Lastly as a physical resemblance, I had added my infamous mole that exists next to my lip.

REQUIREMENTS:

I was required to create a 3 dimensional abstract doll that told a my story with prominent features. It was to be made out of wood, cardboard, paper, and other items. The head is made of styrofoam that was split and hallowed to create a clear image of a stairwell leading upward from child hood to adult hood. It was binded by sawdust papier-mâché and tissue paper to create the structural edges of the face. The body was made up of cardboard pieces stacked on top of one another. Shaved down to create the curves of the body with wood carvers and a sanding machine. The joints are screw loops that are intertwined together to make moving limbs all throughout the body. For example the shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips, & knees. The limbs are made of balsa wood that was carved and sanded down. Lastly the hand and feet are made up of hot glue and paper with sewing string laces. This is what makes up the body and face of this doll.