Come on Barbie, let’s get arty: alternative exhibition plays with perception
A Holyport resident is bringing an ‘alternative’ Barbie-themed exhibition to the town this weekend.
Owen Cochrane-Milne, known as Yetti, is hosting ‘Barbiedos’ at The Vine pub in Maidenhead on Sunday.
The Barbie-themed exhibition has been created in collaboration with his friend
Toni Ping, owner of the Sheffield-based entertainment agency Cirque Du Bleurgh and Sara Nazzari, known as dipsypixie.
Toni said: “My creative journey might not be the same without Barbie’s influence on the world, I think we have a lot to thank Barbie for in shaping perspectives.
“Barbie empowered young minds, breaking traditional roles.”
Owen added: “The exhibition is for anyone that likes alternative culture. It’s just about seeing the world in an alternative way.”
The pair met at a festival in 2022 and formed a ‘unique’ friendship through their respective Barbie art.
Toni started her ‘Barbie journey’ during college, with her ‘distorted’ Barbie art which drew inspiration from Salvador Dali’s surreal world.
During lockdown, she revived her Barbie creations with stop-motion animation and explored mental health themes using quirky characters.
“The upcoming exhibition is a source of genuine excitement, with hopes that it sparks inspiration in others. [We’re] super excited to share our perception of Barbie craft with the world,” she added.
Owen said he was ‘basically unaware’ of the recent Barbie film but hopes this coincidence and the popularity of the blockbuster will inspire people to attend the exhibition. His interest in designing Barbie dolls started with his wordplay around the name ‘Barbie’.
“I think up funny scenarios and just make them. I’m in charity shops and I see Barbie-sized things, and I buy them and do something with them,” Owen said.
“What do you call four Barbies in a line? A Barbiecue. I came up with that joke during lockdown. There’s Barbie-rella, BeelzeBarbie, Barbie-lon, Star-bie…”
He said this is his first exhibition as a creative and the project ‘came together quite quickly’ after The Vine pub, which is under new management, offered to host it.
Owen added: “The exhibition is open to anyone but kids before three o’clock. Then there’s an over-18 party because some of the Barbies do look quite freaky and we don’t want to ruin Barbie for them.”
The Barbiedos exhibition opens at noon and The Vine is going to be transformed into a ‘pink extravaganza’.
“There’s going to be a random ‘Weird Barbie’ head generator for people to ‘pimp’ their Barbie, and a raffle with Barbie-related material and prizes. There are also going to be Barbie games,” said Owen.
Toni is a travelling performer and will also bring ‘Weird Barbie to life’ with a stilts performance as well as a fire show at 6.30pm.
Entry is £5 and tickets will include a cocktail or mocktail which are available on the door or can be purchased in advance from behind the bar at The Vine pub.
Ten per cent of profits will be donated to the charity, Mind, and tickets are free to those who arrive dressed as a Barbie.