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Jessica Harrison's macabre ceramics that show a gruesome side to porcelain dolls

I remember these porcelain dolls from my childhood, with their perfect complexions and glamorous dresses. They always seemed so beautiful, however, there was an added element of creepiness that I could never quite shake off. Jessica Harrison has taken this creepiness and truly runs with it for her creation of gory ceramic girls in various states of injury.

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All images courtesy of Jessica Harrison

All images courtesy of Jessica Harrison

Harrison not only focuses on guts and gore for her work but has also created a series of porcelain women sporting old-school sailor tattoos – the success of which lies in the juxtaposition between traditional and contemporary design.

When looking at Harrison's creations it takes me right back to my grandma's house, watching the ceramic lady on the mantelpiece closely in fear of her eyes darting towards the nearest escape route. To view more of Harrison's work visit her website.

White porcelain figure of a woman in an elegant dress cradling a gold pear with a bloodied crown, her head also bloodied, against a neutral background
Ceramic figurine of a woman in an elegant white dress with a severed head lying detached on the ground beside her
Porcelain figurine of a woman in an elaborate white dress with small floral motifs, holding a red rose and wearing a wound to her chest
Porcelain figure of a woman in an ornate blue dress with white lace trim, her head tilted back to reveal a gruesome flesh-toned injury, holding a gold fan
Porcelain figurine of a woman in a blue eighteenth-century dress holding a red ribbon bow, with blonde hair styled up
Porcelain figure of a woman with styled blonde hair and white bow, wearing a pale dress and holding a fan, with a graphic red wound depicted across her neck and chest
Ceramic figurine of a woman in a white gown holding red viscera, with dark hair and a gold belt against a neutral background
Ceramic figurine of a woman in a flowing mauve ball gown with grey hair and a grotesque red face, posed mid-twirl against a white background
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