Portrait and still life photographer Craig Deane has created more than a dozen large-scale images of dolls from the V&A Museum of Childhood’s extensive collection which will go on display at the Museum from Friday 3 September.
Doll Face is a series of close-cropped, large-format portraits which confronts the audience with the essence of each doll. Returning the viewer’s gaze, their huge scale shows a great amount of detail which allows time to really study their fascinating faces.
Craig Deane Doll Face © Craig Deane
Deane is interested in both the representation of the human form and the objects people surround themselves with. Mankind’s desire to make images and objects in their own likeness stretches back to the dawn of civilisation and while dolls have traditionally been toys for children, they are also coveted by adults for their beauty, nostalgic value, and historical and financial importance. Deane is particularly interested in exploring the evolving representations we have made of ourselves – and given to our children to play with – as illustrated by the broad spectrum of dolls held in the 8000-strong collection at the Museum. The dolls photographed include beatnik CND dolls from the sixties and a pedlar doll with a leather face from 1830.
Deane has previously shown at Rencontres Internationale de la Photographie in Arles, France and has had an Artist’s Residency in Alexandria, Egypt.
The V&A Museum of Childhood aims to encourage everyone to explore the themes of childhood past and present and develop an appreciation of creative design through its inspirational collections and programmes. The Museum is part of the V&A, housing the national childhood collection. The galleries are designed to show the collections in a way which is accessible to adults and children of all ages.
V&A Museum of Childhood, Cambridge Heath Road, London E2 9PA. Open daily: 10.00 – 17.45, last admission 17.30. Tel: 020 8983 5200
www.museumofchildhood.org.uk