



POP SURREALISM MEETS ITS MUSE
Enigmatic, wonderous, and magical are descriptions given to Pop Surrealist superstar Mark Ryden's artwork. Widely credited with ushering in a new genre of painting, Ryden has captivated the art world by merging contemporary cultural references with the spirit of 20th century surrealism. We jumped at the opportunity to bring together the imagination of this master artist and our beloved trailblazer, Barbie.
The collaboration pushes the limits of the anything-is-possible factor. We're excited to launch this collection of remarkable dolls and accessories, in addition to a pop-up exhibit featuring Ryden’s artwork.
The collaboration pushes the limits of the anything-is-possible factor. We're excited to launch this collection of remarkable dolls and accessories, in addition to a pop-up exhibit featuring Ryden’s artwork.
In order to break the mold, first you have to make it. With Ryden's direction and source material (including sketches, drawings, sculptures, and paintings), we brought the surreal from the artist’s studio into the Mattel modeling studio. The doll-making process began with a magical mix of 3-D modeling and physical artistry.
In order to break the mold, first you have to make it. With Ryden's direction and source material (including sketches, drawings, sculptures, and paintings), we brought the surreal from the artist’s studio into the Mattel modeling studio. The doll-making process began with a magical mix of 3-D modeling and physical artistry.
And a spectacular showstopper for the collaboration is Ryden's one-of-a-kind sculpture and doll, Nature Queen. As the centerpiece of the exhibit, Nature Queen is exclusively part of the pop-up art gallery experience. The work that went into this one-of-a-kind masterpiece is evident. One of the first things to notice in Nature Queen is Barbie’s dress: a glamorous, mystical story unfolding with over 30 3D-printed animals.
Atop Barbie’s shimmering chartreuse hair is a gold crown, cast with help from Mattel’s modeling wizardry. An adjacent hive, gazing-eye tree stump, and oversized bees lend another worldly presence to this queen of the primordial fairy tale forest.
Atop Barbie’s shimmering chartreuse hair is a gold crown, cast with help from Mattel’s modeling wizardry. An adjacent hive, gazing-eye tree stump, and oversized bees lend another worldly presence to this queen of the primordial fairy tale forest.


Collaborating with artists is how Mattel Creations takes the world on a journey to discover what’s next. This incredible partnership with Ryden goes a step further — showing the world what’s surreal.
KEEP IT SURREAL
Our upcoming collaboration with artist Mark Ryden puts Barbie on the pedestal of Pop Surrealism.


MAKING A MARK ON POP ART
Art world superstar Mark Ryden is recognized as the Godfather of Pop Surrealism. Ryden's creative techniques helped define the movement — the exacting craftsmanship and layering of the Old Masters-style painting reinvented with a modern, playful mix of candy-colored flea market finds and forest creatures, toys, kids, and cultural artifacts. Ryden's paintings guide viewers through enigmatic scenes to become wonderous, whimsical puzzles of metaphysical allusion — all designed to act as a bridge between our world and a magical dreamland. There is resonating depth in his attention to details, including lavishly carved ornamental frames and the rich symbolism of Cyrillic and Chinese script, numerology, and spiritual iconography.
Mark Ryden was born in Medford, Oregon in 1963. After receiving his BFA from the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, Ryden quickly caught the attention of the 1990s art world as he ushered in a new genre of painting. "Pop Surrealism" developed the scope and spirit of 20th century surrealism by embellishing its vocabulary with contemporary cultural references. Ryden's paintings have been exhibited in museums and galleries worldwide, including a 2015 career-spanning retrospective at The Centro de Arte Contemporáneo of Málaga, as well as an earlier retrospective at the Frye Museum of Art in Seattle and Pasadena Museum of California Art.
Mark Ryden was born in Medford, Oregon in 1963. After receiving his BFA from the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, Ryden quickly caught the attention of the 1990s art world as he ushered in a new genre of painting. "Pop Surrealism" developed the scope and spirit of 20th century surrealism by embellishing its vocabulary with contemporary cultural references. Ryden's paintings have been exhibited in museums and galleries worldwide, including a 2015 career-spanning retrospective at The Centro de Arte Contemporáneo of Málaga, as well as an earlier retrospective at the Frye Museum of Art in Seattle and Pasadena Museum of California Art.
AN ICON REIMAGINED
With childhood innocence and the divine powers of femininity acting as major themes in Ryden's repertoire, it's no surprise that he works with Barbie as subject matter. Back in 1994, Saint Barbie was released, quickly becoming one of his most recognized paintings. The piece plays on Ryden's evocative balance of paradox and curiosity.
We were beyond thrilled to partner with Ryden for his upcoming pop-up collection and gallery exhibition featuring our beloved trailblazer. Working in conjunction with Ryden and his longtime partners at the Kasmin Gallery, the jointly organized show and collection will feature new and previous works. As part of the experience, a set of limited-edition Barbie dolls and accessories that personify Pop Surrealism will be on display.


The Kasmin Gallery x Mattel Creations pop-up will be located at 8382 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA, 90069. It begins on November 11th, 2022, and runs through December 11, 2022, and is open Tuesday through Sunday from 11 AM – 6 PM.
Stay tuned to MattelCreations.com for more details on this exciting work.
Stay tuned to MattelCreations.com for more details on this exciting work.