Valerie Carmet "Pink Emmanuelle"
Valerie Carmet "Pink Emmanuelle" 2023
Mixed Media: Wood, Plexi, Paint, Vintage and Recycled Peek a Boo Barbies
Dimensions: 18 x 10 x 4
Limited Edition of 5 of 10
Signed on Recto and Verso, includes a certificate of authenticity.
Valerie Carmet, a French-American Pop Art assemblage artist, calls both Miami and NYC home, blending the vibrant energies of these two cultural hubs. Originally hailing from France, she ventured into New York's dynamic fashion scene in 1989, where her journey into the world of art began to unfold.
In 1995, Carmet's artistic path took root with the creation of intricate mosaics, a testament to her innate mathematical instincts and keen skills. Over the years, she honed her craft, culminating in the birth of her signature ToyBox Collection in 2013. This innovative series, born from a desire to breathe new life into discarded toys, serves as a platform for Carmet to explore profound societal issues with a playful twist. Through her art, Carmet boldly addresses topics such as overconsumption, violence, gender equality, and mental health, inviting viewers to reflect on these themes through the lens of childhood nostalgia. Her work challenges norms and sparks conversations, exhibited globally for over two decades.
“This piece critiques the rigid constraints of femininity through the iconic Barbie doll. A cutout of Barbie’s silhouette, filled with an overwhelming mass of dolls, represents the suffocating expectations placed on women. The glossy pink aesthetic contrasts with its deeper critique of beauty standards, gender roles, and the commodification of womanhood. Barbie’s Cage invites viewers to question societal narratives and recognize the ongoing fight for gender equality, autonomy, and representation. By reimagining toys as artistic tools for social critique, The ToyBox Collection invites viewers to engage with serious issues in an unexpected, playful way—challenging them to reconsider the world they once saw through the lens of childhood.” - Valerie Carmet
For more information on the exhibition visit our website.