The weird and wonderful objects at the Pitt Rivers Museum inspired an exhibition of dolls created by students on the foundation art and design course at Oxford Brookes University. They have made such a good job of their dolls, than any one of their creations could be placed in the museum’s collection and not look out of place. Many of the dolls represent an exploration into the student’s inner selves or their alter ego. All are created from a imaginative mix of materials and each doll has a unique and individual voice.

Allys Kimber (above) placed her doll in a green coat because her own green coat is her favourite garment. She modelled it on a doll in the collection made from fabric wrapped tightly round the legs. Allys has incorporated a Braille effect into her work, using thread on tracing paper. She says that the Braille suggests she can be secretive about certain things.

Richie Webb’s doll, which sits on a preserving jar and has been placed on top of the small cabinet in which the dolls are displayed, suggests that he stands alone. Richie says he doesn’t want to stand out among others; he wants stand out in how he sees himself. The jar on which his figure has been placed contains a random collection of items that represent recollections from the past 12 years of his life. Yasmin Rennie created a doll that showed her physicality rather than her personality, which is why the hair and lips are the two visual characteristics she concentrated on. A single tear was added because her eyes water frequently.

This imaginative collection of dolls is tucked away in a corner of the museum and may be difficult to find. It is, however, well worth seeking out as the dolls are a fine example of what today’s young artists are capable of.