Inside Pink Pop! A look at the Mark Ryden X Barbie Exhibit

inside pink pop!

I went to see the Mark Ryden X Barbie Pink Pop! exhibit last weekend to get a look at the art and one-of-a-kind dolls. A small show, I managed to get photos of most everything so now you, too, can see. Although you’ll have to forgive some of the reflections, it was, as usual, a bright sunny day in L.A.

Ryden x Barbie exhibit exterior, photo: laura sweet
Mark Ryden x Barbie exhibit venue exterior, photo: laura sweet

Inside Pink Pop!

photo: laura sweet

Admittedly it was a little disappointing inside Pink Pop! but only because there wasn’t enough to see. The press release made it sound as though there would be several one-of-a-kind dolls by Ryden but there wasn’t. Other then the three limited versions for sale we shared with you from Mattel’s Capsule Collection there were only two; one of Ryden himself and The Nature Queen Barbie, a 12″ tall version of Ryden’s life size sculpture which stands in the center of the space.

Inside Pink Pop!
Mark Ryden x Barbie pop-up exhibit, 2022, photos: laura sweet

The exhibit took place in one large open room. Partial walls divided the areas. On the furthest most back wall wonderful framed drawings and sketches featured both Barbie and common Ryden iconography such as bees, tree trunks, eyes, his yaks, and other anima.

Mark Ryden sketches Inside Pink Pop!
Mark Ryden, sketches of Barbie on paper, 2021
Mark Ryden, Barbie as Nature Queen, pencil drawing, 2021
Mark Ryden, Barbie as Nature Queen, 2021

The Paintings

As far as oil paintings of his, I was hoping to see more. There were five, but I only got decent photos of four.

Inside Pink Pop!
Mark Ryden, Saint Barbie, Oil on Panel, 1994, 33” x 22”, 36.75” x 26” framed, original painting at the exhibit, photo: laura sweet
Mark Ryden, Bee Girl painting
Mark Ryden, Bee Girl, 2022, oil on panel, photo: laura sweet
Mark Ryden Inside Pink Pop!
Mark Ryden, Surrealist Eye painting, 2022, oil on board, photo: laura sweet
Mark Ryden Inside Pink Pop! Barbie painting
Mark Ryden, Pink Pop! Barbie, 2021, oil on panel, photo: laura sweet

A bronze sculpted Dodecahedron, another of Mark’s oft seen symbols, stood in front of the fifth painting which also featured the sculpture between the two Surrealist Dolls we showed you here..

Mark Ryden, Dodecahedron with eyes, bronze
Mark Ryden, dodecahedron with eyes, bronze in foreground, oil painting of Surrealist Barbies in back, photo: laura sweet

Sculpture

The largest and central piece in the show was a sculpture of Barbie as the Nature Queen on a pedestal.

Ryden's larger than life Barbie as The Nature Queen Sculpture greets you at the entrance
Ryden’s larger than life Barbie as Nature Queen sculpture greets you at the entrance, photo: laura sweet
Mark Ryden, Nature Queen (detail)
Mark Ryden, Nature Queen (detail), photo: laura sweet

The One of A Kind Dolls

The one-of-a-kind Nature Queen doll is a miniature version of the sculpture. She wears an iridescent gown with beautifully hand-crafted animals and embroidered flowers. It shimmers like her crown made of real gold. As are her earrings.

Mark Ryden, Nature Queen Barbie doll, one of a kind, mixed media
Mark Ryden, Nature Queen Barbie doll, one of a kind, mixed media, photo: laura sweet
ryden barbie doll one of a kind two sides ©IIHIH
The one-of-a-kind barbie from both sides, photos: laura sweet
Mark Ryden, Nature Queen Barbie Doll (detail), 2022
Mark Ryden, Nature Queen Barbie Doll (detail), 2022 photo: laura sweet

The only other original doll is that of the artist, made for the video promos seen on both his and Mattel’s social media feeds as well as in the show.

The one of a kind Mark Ryden doll
The one of a kind Mark Ryden doll, photo: laura sweet

The doll was framed and mounted in a corner where there were lots of fun examples of Ryden’s explorations when it came to designing the dolls for Mattel.

ryden x barbie exhibit inside corner
The Mark Ryden doll amongst other doll explorations in the show, photo: laura sweet

A video featuring the Mark Ryden doll was on a loop in the middle of the wall.

A video featuring the Mark Ryden doll and Barbie played in the center of the pink painted wall.
A video featuring the Mark Ryden doll and Barbie played in the center of the pink painted wall for visitors, photo: laura sweet

The Mattel Capsule collection of accessories and limited edition dolls are available for purchase inside the exhibition.

Ryden x Barbie capsule collection at exhibit
Ryden x Barbie capsule collection at the exhibit, photo: laura sweet

If you’re in the Los Angeles area, the show is up through December 11th.

Kasmin Pop Up Gallery:
8382 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles​
Tuesday-Sunday 11 AM – 6 PM ​
The exhibit is open until 12/11.