Joy Gregory | Explosive Barbie (2025)

Joy Gregory | Explosive Barbie (2025)[[specs start]] Photopolymer Gravure on Somerset satin white 300gsm Image size: 40. 7 x 29. 6 cm, sheet size: 47. 6 x 35. 5 cm Edition of 30, signed and numbered Please note that these works can be purchased as a pair by selecting 'Buy this Edition' below. To view the other work in the series, click here. Printed by Simon Lawson Prints. [[specs end]] [[work start]] About the work Joy Gregory has created a pair of photopolymer etchings especially for

[[specs start]]

Photopolymer Gravure on Somerset satin white 300gsm

Image size: 40.7 x 29.6 cm, sheet size: 47.6 x 35.5 cm

Edition of 30, signed and numbered

Please note that these works can be purchased as a pair by selecting 'Buy this Edition' below. To view the other work in the series, click here.

Printed by Simon Lawson Prints.

[[specs end]]

[[work start]] 

About the work

Joy Gregory has created a pair of photopolymer etchings especially for Whitechapel Gallery to accompany her exhibition Joy Gregory: Catching Flies with Honey, 8 Oct 2025 – 01 Mar 2026.

Definitely Waving, 2025 and Explosive Barbie, 2025 connect to the artist’s recent series of cyanotypes, entitled 'Barbie the Golden Years'. For her edition Gregory chose two works from the series, recreating them as photopolymer etchings, each in an edition of 30.

The subject of Barbie grew from the artist’s earlier series ‘The Blonde’ with the first iteration being a series of fleeting portraits of the doll which could easily be mistaken for a person; also making a guest appearance in The Girl Thing.

Gregory revisited Barbie, after seeing the film ‘Barbie’ at Peckhamplex Cinema, London - for Gregory, a fabulous place to see the film with the audience fully involved in the event. There were pink frocks, blonde wigs, handbags and heels in abundance inspiring 'Barbie the Golden Years'. Gregory describes always having an uneasy affinity with Barbie as they were born at opposite ends of the same year - with Barbie slightly older. 

[[work end]]

[[artist start]]

About the artist

Joy Gregory (b.1959, UK), lives and works in London. Since the early 1980s, Gregory has been a pioneering force in contemporary photography, playing a critical role in its development nationally and internationally. Her work explores identity, history, race, gender and societal ideals of beauty, while expanding photography’s aesthetic and material possibilities.  Gregory employs a diverse range of media and methods, encompassing Victorian photographic techniques such as cyanotypes and kallitypes, as well as digital media and performance. Conceptually rigorous and visually seductive, Gregory’s work invites important reflection on power structures, representation and cultural memory.

[[artist end]]

[[exhibitions start]]

Selected exhibitions

Joy Gregory is the recipient of numerous awards and has exhibited all over the world showing in many festivals and biennales. Her work included in many collections including the UK Arts Council Collection, Victoria and Albert Museum, Institute of Modern Art, Brisbane, Australia, and Yale British Art Collection. She currently lives and works in London.

[[exhibitions end]]

Whitechapel Gallery editions are generously donated by the artists. All proceeds from the sale of these works directly support our exhibition and education programmes. As is traditional in editions publishing, prices will rise as an edition starts to sell out. 

For UK Customers, VAT is included in the price shown. 

The purchase of this edition is subject to resale restrictions. See Terms and Conditions at point of sale.