I made this art project for TUBU Fest’s 2026 art gallery. Check out more about my TUBU Fest 2026 experience here!

This piece explores masking and the experience of hiding the physical and emotional struggles associated with disability. The porcelain doll represents the version that is presented to the world, while the monstrous heads represent actual feelings beneath that exterior. The intestines symbolize the stomach pain and gut issues I often push through, while the cane represents my own avoidance of my cane despite knowing I need it. Together, these elements reflect the pressure to appear “fine” and the ways those with these or similar issues hide or minimize struggles in order to fit that expectation.

I made it using a porcelain doll that was gifted to me and a damaged Peri and Pearl Monster High doll. Below, you can see how they started.
I cut Peri and Pearl’s lower half off with a hacksaw and found some replacement hands (I used Spectra’s see-through hands to add to the idea that the smaller heads can’t be seen by most and the porcelain doll’s face is the “mask”). The guts I had got a long time ago on Halloween clearance, and I painted them with red glitter nail polish to make them appear bloody. The cane was made from a Barbie ski pole that I cut up, glued back together, and painted. I added tears to Peri and Pearl using globs of hot glue. The dress was already on the doll, just cut a bit to make more room.

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Filed under: Blog - @ October 9, 2026 8:54 pm

Tags: art pieces, dolls, monster high