PICS: ‘Plastic Bodies’ – How Real Women Size Up To Barbie

The  majority of us owned a Barbie doll at some stage of our childhood and in the last few month we've seen what Barbie would look like without make up, and how the plastic doll would appear with real life measurements. However this 'Plastic Bodies' photography project by Sheila Pree Bright shows just how the average women measures up against famous childhood toy. 

The juxtaposition of the images show the stark contrast between the facial features of a Barbie doll and that of a woman of the same age. Each photograph is made up from merging two images together, with a pretty effective result.

Sheila’s series ‘Plastic Bodies’ explores the relationship between "white beauty standards", highlighting the unrealistic pressures women face to look a certain way.

Speaking to the Huffington Post, Sheila explained the message behind the project.

"This body of work addresses the loss of personal identity many women experience, specifically women of colour," she said.

"American concepts of the “perfect female body” are clearly exemplified through commercialism, portraying “image as everything” and introducing trends that many spend hundreds of dollars to imitate. It is more common than ever that women are enlarging breasts with silicone, making short hair longer with synthetic hair weaves, covering natural nails with acrylic fill-ins, or perhaps replacing natural eyes with contacts.

"Even on magazine covers, graphic artists are airbrushing and manipulating photographs in software programs, making the image of a small waist and clear skin flawless. As a result, the female body becomes a replica of a doll, and the essence of natural beauty in popular American culture is replaced by fantasy."

The artwork completed in 2002 is now on exhibition in various locations across America.

Hat-tip: Huffington Post