Gabby graduated from Manchester Metropolitan University last summer in three dimensional design. As part of her degree work she created a jewellery collection based on gender reinforcement which is now on display & for sale in Liverpool's Bluecoat Display Centre. She won an award for her work at her degree show to have it shown there for the whole of March.
The collection shows role reversing of children's toys stepping away from the gender stereotypes we are all used to. Being a sociology graduate myself this topic is something I feel strongly about & have a strong knowledge of. Girls & boys toys are very separated giving children a very different outlook of the world. The very root of sexism in the world. How girls are brought up to play with domesticated toys which are pink "girly colour" & boys with construction blue toys. From a young age we are already assigned our place in society, what we should be doing, what lies ahead for us. How do we still have these toys when it's the 21st century? Things have changed a lot in the world especially with the big emphasis of feminism now but really not much has changed if children are still given these toys to play with. If we are to have total equality it needs to start from day 1, not segregating children with toys, clothes, or colours. Teaching our children that we are equal whether we're a boy or girl, black or white.
Gabby's collection is a fun take on this gender stereotypes of toys with her humorously altering phrases from the packaging to make a comical yet real comment. She's made her collection from laser cutting acrylic, unique & different take on your typical jewellery!
If you're around Liverpool go check it out it's only display till Thursday 31st March.
You will find it on College Lane, off Hanover Street where BBC Radio Merseyside is on the right. Or if you walking from Liverpool One the street that leads to Tesco on Hanover Street when you walk straight out of Waterstone's (Be on your left).
If you want to buy any of the pieces you can contact gabby...
ghernandezjewellery@hotmail.com
Proud of you Garbo!
