Mari Shimizu’s dolls contain worlds. The Japanese artist crafts surreal, disconcerting figures whose torsos are often hollowed and reveal views into scenes ripped from mythology. The work is both a new transformation for the classical doll and a nod to the centuries-old nature of the toys.
“Working with traditional Japanese materials such as animal hair and organic silk, along with century-old, handmade components, Shimizu has created a super-realistic ball-joint doll collection,” a statement says. “Her work, she says, offers a glimpse into the very souls of these antique objects. The blend of antique and traditional materials, with references to Japanese historical figures, makes this exhibition compelling viewing.”
The artist has exhibited her figures across the world, from her native Japan to Los Angeles. See more of Shimizu’s dolls below.
If we continue spewing pollution into the atmosphere, our climate will only continue to change, and the oceans will be very different than they are today. Ocean temperatures will rise, and with that, rising PH levels will make the water more acidic. It's simple chemistry and a sad fact. So how do we solve this problem? Artist and ocean advocate 
Artistic duo 