It is the job of a good artist to bring out the best in their subjects. In the hands of a passionate photographer, their skill, great lighting, makeup and fashion and of course post are all used to accomplish this goal. For Valley Of The Dolls, the tools to bring out the best in his subjects also include; paint, varnish, putty and clay and a sculpting tool.
I have covered Henry Cavill and his body of work several times over the years. Even before being cast as The Man Of Steel, Cavill had a classic, almost iconic look that seem destined to be captured on the big screen. If you purchased Cavill's Superman action figure you own a doll that came dressed as he looks in the two images above. In Superman's classic blue and red suit, ready for action!
Although I have seen many images of Cavill over the years, I am not sure he has ever looked as hot as he does in plastic, captured by Phil from Valley Of The Dolls. Phil's process to transform action figure to model is a time consuming and tedious one, (which you can see HERE:) but as the images below show, it is well worth it for the final effect!
'I started this as a hobby a few years ago and it has quickly evolved and taken on a life of its own. I am not a professional photographer or artist but there seems to be some level of appeal to my little creations.'
The appeal Phil mention is both powerful and instant. Through his preparation, staging and photography the viewer is visually mesmerized by both what they are seeing, and equally by what they are not. Male dolls have traditionally been created as eunuchs, safe, castrated men to accompany Barbie on her trips to the beach or the prom. The antithesis to Ken of course is Tom Of Finland, a man always at full alert with his one and only goal to have sex, ferociously and constantly.
Most men of course are neither all Ken, nor all Tom. We are all both savagely sexual or quietly impotent depending on circumstances and who surrounds us. I think that is part of the appeal of Phil's work. Henry, and the other subjects he has created and captured are just like most of the models and celebrities I write about. Representations of masculinity and desire, tweaking both the emotional and erotic sensibilities of the viewer, whether for artistic expression, or commercial reasons.
