Amanda Jenkinson

Dear, Approx 1′ x 1′, Mixed media Sculpture, 2021

As someone who participates in and thoroughly enjoys the thrill of collecting, I find myself creating art that reflects my passion for dolls and plush in a way that critiques my own consumerism and the habits of the collecting community as a whole. A person may collect for a variety of reasons, whether that be to reconnect with lost childhood passions, to fulfill their desire to surround themself in their favorite media, or as cathartic retail therapy that accumulates uncontrollably over time. While the hobby might start out to be innocent, the need to satiate the desire for “stuff” has the ability to consume one’s entire being. 

Creating this bear-doll allowed me to construct into a singular piece the feeling of joy it brings me to rearrange and organize my own chaotic collection of tchotchkes. At the same time, the “creepiness” it exudes indicates the obsessive nature of this hobby and the animosity some might feel toward maximalism.

Instagram: @paper.abuse