Alex Sandwell Kliszynski's Barbie-fied Photos Erase Gender
British photographer Alex Sandwell Kliszynski, based near Cambridge, created a series titled 'My Luxuria' that digitally removes sexual characteristics from human subjects, rendering them like plastic dolls. The project began as a joke when he photoshopped a bodybuilder into a G.I. Joe-style figure. He then applied the same technique to female models, eliminating nipples and genitalia to produce a 'strepitous censorship.' The work was exhibited at The Photographers' Gallery in London. Kliszynski, who specializes in portraits and wedding photography, also reimagined Manet's 'Olympia' in this Barbie-fied style. The series attracted individual commissions from people wanting similar portraits. After the exhibition, Kliszynski returned to photographing bridal couples.
Key facts
- Alex Sandwell Kliszynski is a British photographer based near Cambridge.
- He created the series 'My Luxuria' presented at The Photographers' Gallery in London.
- The series digitally removes nipples and genitalia from subjects, mimicking plastic dolls.
- The project started as a joke involving a bodybuilder photoshopped into a G.I. Joe figure.
- Kliszynski also recreated Manet's 'Olympia' in the same style.
- The work satirically explores the overlap between ludic and sexual objects.
- Individuals commissioned Kliszynski to create similar portraits of themselves.
- Kliszynski returned to wedding photography after the exhibition.
Entities
Artists
- Alex Sandwell Kliszynski
- Édouard Manet
- Ferruccio Giromini
Institutions
- The Photographers' Gallery
- Artribune
Locations
- Cambridge
- United Kingdom
- London