www.animaexmanus.com www.instagram.com/animaexmanus/
Dark, gothic, horrific – you can pick whatever adjective you like, but they can never be enough to capture the true quintessence of Ioanna’s sacred dolls, blossomed from a magical world. Her sur-
real figures – speaking a visual mouthful of their stories “of woe and misfortune”, integrated with metaphors and symbolisms - resonate with individuals on a deeply emotional and subconscious level, leaving space for conscious interpretations. Woven into their mystic fabric and eyes puffed with unspo- ken secrets, her characters reveal the parallel universe of grotesque, peculiar, whimsical, and anthropo- morphic oddities. While some dolls elevate the aesthetics of a modern home or serve as a decorative element for the office, this original art piece may not fit, unless one is actively ready to swallow its overpowering meaning.
The reason for this is simple – they hold a piece of the artist and share a beating heart. Believe it or not, every story you hear comes from experience and most importantly, from emotions or memories - good or bad. It is left for the artist, to choose and use their techniques, and capture a moment so pure, so touching, and build on it by adding depth and life beyond anyone’s imagination. This is a method Ioanna chooses to create her body of handmade dolls that makes her stand out entirely, deserving the recognition she gets.
Using materials mainly from local craft stores, and thrift shops, as well as vintage textiles and trims from her seamstress grandmother, Ioanna does not stress greatly their foreign counterparts. However, there are other more specialized materials she uses, such as glass eyes or a specific type of clay that, unfortunately, cannot be found locally and relies on international brands. While her pictures may have a simple thick, black and shadowy backdrop, it is with the intent to keep her audience fixated, with their gazes, lofty expressions, and gothic makeup. And they do!
A single look and you’re transfixed and totally conformed to their world and mother tongue.
EVERYONE HAS GOT A UNIQUE STORY TO TELL ABOUT THEIR BEGINNING. CAN YOU BRIEFLY TELL US ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND AND YOUR JOURNEY IN DOLLMAK- ING?
My professional background is a bit mixed - I am a special educa-
tion teacher by day and this has since been consistent for about 14 years, but at the sight of the moonlight, I am a dollmaker. I have also worked as a professional musician and singer during my studies. I have always been making things with my hands, ever since I was little. Not too much thought into it, I just loved playing around with different materials and experimenting with color and form. In the last few years, I started thinking that perhaps being creative or artistic is a way to handle anything life throws at you and make sense of the world (and yourself). I first discovered and started making dolls about twelve years ago, during a very traumatic time in my life, and it was a turning point for me.
While I first discovered the art of dollmaking in 2010, I actually had many long in-between pauses, until 2015. That’s when I created Anima ex Manus Art Dolls, and I have been making dolls since.
I’m completely self-taught and quite intuitive in my doll-making. I tend to jump right into the actual making, letting the doll’s character and story emerge as I work. I’ve taught myself through books, videos, tutorials, and of course through a lot of trial and error, many frustrations, and countless failures. And I’m still learning. Quite often, my dolls turn out much differently than I had originally imagined, but letting the doll guide me is one of the aspects that I find fascinating in doll-making.
READ THIS IN OUR ISSUE 5
