'Baby's First Baby'

'Baby's First Baby' - Darren Cullen (2012)

http://www.spellingmistakescostlives.com/babysfirstbaby

Coming on the heels of the annual Christmas toy rush, the latest creation by London based artist Darren Cullen is sure to cause a stampede either towards or away from the toy shelves.

Standing 33cm tall, Baby's First Baby claims to be the world's first ever, pregnant baby doll. The dolls, 'Real Pregnancy Action' covers such features as "cravings", "stretch marks" and even its "waters really break." As if that wasn't enough, below an arrow pointing to the tiny fetus inside the box, we're told, "baby's baby is pregnant too!"

The "non-stop reproductive action" of the toy is exponentially doubled when you realise that, "Twin Pregnant Babies" are also available, "each pregnant with their very own set of pregnant twins", the box heartily informs us, "the fun never stops!"

As well as being a riff on the idea of “babies having babies”, with girls as young as 11 having children, Cullen claims the work addresses the hypocrisy of society’s attitude to teen pregnancy, "We complain that girls are growing up too quick and getting pregnant too early, when the only toys we offer them are about pretending to be adults and preparing to have babies.”

The artist claims the project is a statement on teen pregnancy, consumerism and the different ways each gender is prepared for adulthood. "If you look in any toy shop or catalogue there is a massive discrepancy in the range of choice for girls compared to boys. If you were to take the options of toys as a range of potential careers, for boys the possibilities are massive: astronaut, engineer, police/fireman, scientist, soldier. For girls about 70% of toys are about being mothers, then the remainder are based around practicing make-up, various elements of fashion or in the case of Barbie, imagining they're someone’s rich wife.”

Cullen asks, “Don't boys grow up to be parents too? Why are the scales so skewed, even now, towards girls becoming home-makers and boys being bread-winners?”

The doll is to be shown at the new exhibition 'Moral Holiday' at the Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art in Sunderland from the 26th October until the 12th January. As well as works by Cullen, the show exhibits art from David Shrigley, Gilbert & George, Bruce Nauman and Gordon Matta-Clark amongst others. The gallery can be contacted at ngca@sunderland.gov.uk

Darren Cullen, 29, originally from Leeds, studied Fine Art at the Glasgow School of Art where he gained notoriety for his billboard claiming, "Santa Gives More to Rich Kids than Poor Kids". He should not be confused with the graffiti artist ‘SER’ of the same name.

His other recent projects include selling the actual flame from the Olympic torch on eBay and manufacturing a range of Placebo: Max Strength sugar tablets. His work can be found on his website, Spelling Mistakes Cost Lives (spellingmistakescostlives.com)

Darren can be contacted for more information, photos, statements or interview requests at darren@spellingmistakescostlives.