Lepe, Kimberley (Week 9)

    This week, one of my favorite presentations was on Sand One.  Her work was so interesting, and right away caught my attention with her use of characters.  She is a Chicana artist born in East Los Angeles, and constantly draws upon her personal experiences of being a Chicana in Los Angeles.  She is mostly known for the dolls she creates, which is my favorite representation (these cartoon figures created by many contemporary artists), and the reason I chose to write about this artist in the blog post for this week.  Her dolls represent feminism and female empowerment with typically exaggerated and bold characteristics.  They have lots of eye makeup, blush, lipstick and usually portrayed in revealing outfits.  What's great about Sand One, is that every feature that she applies into her artwork comes together to form her overarching message. 

    My favorite doll was named “Cakes,” a doll that represents women who have daddy issues.  First, and foremost, I think that it is important to acknowledge the stigma that is often carried by this idea of “daddy issues”.  Instead, Sand One provides a different perspective that I absolutely love.  The doll is dressed in revealing clothing with bikini bottoms and a white crop top.  Her curves are represented, along with big eyes and LONG lashes.  What I think makes “Cakes” unique is that she is holding a teddy bear in hand, that is a representation of a man.  In short, we see that men are just toys, and ultimately women can make whatever choice and do as they please with their bodies.  I feel that this art piece stands up against this taboo idea of “women with daddy issues,” and ensures to others that women can and will do what they want with their bodies.  Just because women dress, or are comfortable with sexuality does not make them a woman with issues.  I appreciate this new take on female sexuality.  Too often male stereotypes classify women who are too sexual as sluts, whereas women who are not are prudes.  Sand One takes a stance against one of these taboos created by misogynistic ideologies.