Body Cast Barbie!

This piece revisits a pivotal moment from my childhood, where I reflect on the impact hip dysplasia has had on my life. I inherited a genetic condition where the hip sockets do not develop fully in the womb and it cannot hold the femur in place, resulting in two dislocated hips. At the age of three I underwent double hip surgery to correct this, leaving me in a spica cast that immobilized me for over half a year. Through the artwork I examine the negative impacts influencing my emotions and quality of life, in contrast to the ways I have grown and the unexpected positive outcomes of my experience. At three years old there are not many emotions that one can recognize or articulate. My parents did not want me to pass the time with television so they gave me art supplies—this quickly became a way to express my ineffable feelings and pent up energy. Barbie was my favorite toy growing up, so I decided to lean into the irony and give Barbie a spica cast too, mirroring the challenges I faced. Demonstrating how difficult play can be when you are limited, highlighting the isolation that came with the inability to play. Barbie’s cast features a replica of the paintings I did on my own cast at age three, a vivid reminder of my introduction to art as a creative escape from my physical restrictions. My Aunt and Grandmother also have hip dysplasia, in honor of my inheritance I created two more plaster casts. Using these two casts I point out the duality of my experience. One cast is covered with words expressing the pain, isolation, and frustration of living with hip dysplasia and being in a body cast as a child. The other cast features words that highlight the strength, resilience, and perspective I gained from the experience. Together, they form a narrative of struggle and transformation.