New Jersey based artist Tess Givnish is often inspired by her love for horror, sci-fi and pop culture when creating her pieces. One example is her series of illustrations of dolls and custom dolls that depict femme characters from horror film history. Givnish’s horror femme dolls portray iconic femmes in horror: Carrie White from Stephen King’s Carrie, Jennifer from Jennifer’s Body and Elisabeth from the 2024 body horror hit, The Substance.
Collectively, these characters have been known in film studies as the monstrous feminine, femme characters in horror cinema who have full agency in their lives despite the patriarchy, thanks to their perceived monstrosity. Hence, the monstrous feminine has been a symbol of a femme’s hope for equality, which makes Givnish's dolls aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal of Gender Equality.
Though Givnish’s custom dolls and illustrations have been functioning as collectible items for adults, the fact that dolls have traditionally been toys for children can be read as Givnish’s hope that the next generation of femmes can look up to these characters and feel empowered. Popular doll brand Barbie has also been doing this through their line of Sheroes, dolls made in the image of inspiring women who can be role models for young children who can see themselves in their journeys.
Tess Givnish’s dolls of femmes in horror reimagines the monstrous feminine as symbols of empowerment, using iconic horror characters to challenge patriarchal norms and inspire gender equality. By transforming these complex femme figures into collectible art, Givnish celebrates their agency and resilience. While her dolls appeal to adult collectors, their connection to traditional toys like Barbie subtly suggests a hope that future generations of femmes can find strength and role models in these characters, fostering empowerment through representation.
Find out more about dolls of femmes in horror and other pieces by Tess Givnish on her Etsy page or Instagram @tessgivnishartist.