By Crystal Harrell
Barbie traded Malibu for the Coachella Valley as the National Barbie Doll Collectors Convention took place at the JW Marriott in Palm Desert from July 30 to August 3. This annual event hosted over 900 Barbie aficionados from around the world, and Trevor Wayne kept the Barbie-mania alive by holding the “C’mon Barbie, Let’s Get Arty” art exhibition at his Palm Springs gallery.
“Barbie-Con happens the same time every year, but it’s always in a different city. So because it was happening the Valley, I reached out to Bill Greening, the principal designer for Barbie and he hooked me up with the convention and they promoted this show. They’ve been very wonderful and Mattel approved of the exhibition,” shared Trevor Wayne.
The artists featured in the “C’mon Barbie, Let’s Get Arty” art exhibition are mostly local to the Valley, including Trevor himself who contributed his original acrylic on canvas piece, “What Was I Made For.” Other artists include Keith Kaminski, who contributed his 8-foot by 4-foot portrait “Paper Doll” made entirely out of Post-It notes, Betsy Enzensberger’s popsicle resin artwork, Dietzworkz, Leticia Lacy, Summer Oh’s Barbie, and Warrencito’s “Doll Ball.”
“Barbie has been around for 65 years, so I think she very much ties into the mid-century aesthetic, especially the older Barbie dolls. The classic black-and-white swimsuit is just perfect. It’s iconic pop art that works in Palm Springs,” stated Trevor.
The “C’mon Barbie, Let’s Get Arty” art exhibition has been a hit among Barbie fans, featuring pop art, traditional paintings, oil, acrylics, abstracts, and a vintage miniature television that plays doll animations on a 2-hour loop.
The art featured in this Barbie-centric gallery will still be showcased at Trevor Wayne’s store and hybrid gallery, available for purchase in-house and online. Trevor Wayne features a curated collection of local Palm Springs artists, Jonathan Adler, Pantone merchandise, Toiletpaper Magazine, and many more. His artist statement is to simply “make people smile,” very often by taking dark imagery and flipping it.
“I showcase original art by local artists and myself, but we also have products like decor and stuff like that too. There’s price points for everybody and there’s things you can easily come in here and buy as gifts as well as the original art,” said Trevor.
To purchase the art featured in the “C’mon Barbie, Let’s Get Arty” exhibition and to view Trevor Wayne’s other offerings, visit www.trevorwayne.com.
