An Artist Created Domestic Abuse Barbies To Show "Harsh Realities" Of Adulthood

"What if we were to teach our children about the harsh realities that face so many in life?" Trigger warning: domestic violence.

Student artist Samantha Humphreys has depicted childhood Barbies as victims of domestic abuse.

Sam Humphreys

The photo series are part of her "What If?" exhibit based on a larger theoretical question: "What if we were to teach our children about the harsh realities that face so many in life?"

The iconic Barbies are painted to appear bruised and battered.

Samantha Humphreys

Samantha wanted to use perfect dolls to raise issue with how children are shaped to view the world, and its darker, imperfect realities.

Samantha Humphreys

"I was interested in how, when we’re younger, we're led to believe that everything is perfect and how as children we are quite rightly sheltered from the harsh realities of adulthood," she says.

Other photos in the series explore subjects of insecurity, loneliness, illness and addiction.

Samantha Humphreys

Samantha Humphries

Samantha Humphries