BA (Hons) Art and Design

Jessica Overdijk

Biography

As a young child, walking into my local toy store was as if I wandered into a magical dimension. A world filled with wonder and imagination, Where everything is innocent and sweet.

The project Jessiebessie’s toys visualizes the world of toy stores far away from a sweet dreamland. In this world, toys are no longer innocent playthings but characters suffering from mental illness and recovering from their traumatic experiences. Using the nostalgia and cuteness of childhood as a ‘’comfort blanket,’’ jessiebessie’s toys tells the harsh realities of suffering from Borderline personality disorder.

So come in, the peculiar residents of this obscure toy store welcome you. Look around and find a new friend. A toyish creature with a symptom sewn into their heart. Purchase them, take them home, care for them, share within their lives to understand the disturbance mental illness brings one’s universe.

This project was created with my own story as an underlying narrative; I hope it serves to gather other survivors and give them the strength to share their own.

Welcome to Jessiebessie’s toys! How can I help you?

; Jessica Overdijk is a Dutch visual artist and creative currently based in Birmingham, United Kingdom. Born and raised in the Rotterdam area of the Netherlands, she took her working-class upbringings and turned it into a magical fairy tale.

With experience within the commercial design industry, her visual language forms a bridge between digital graphics and the fine art world. Jessica’s art practice specializes in toy making as a speculative form to discuss troubling subjects. Using the innocence and nostalgia of childhood to confront the subject matters of a disturbed adulthood, Creating a safe space to lay bare the complexities of modern society.

Be warned! Play with care.

Read more about me

designed poster of a ball jointed doll with women with ''living doll'' make up in it. red color theme. added graphics with title of the doll''Irridessa the delusional unicorn'' and standard toy store marketing.

A ball jointed doll (BJD doll) painted in different purple tones. blue long hair. Sitting in the toy store installation.

Close up picture of a pink plush toy with a blue sculpted face.

Close up picture of a blue plush toy with a pale skin color sculpted face.

Complete look of the pink walled toy store installation. With large posters on all three walls. Toys are set up in the middle of the room.

Irridessa is gone - Commercial poster for Irridessa is the delusional unicorn! Now in Stores and online for only the price of one less symptom! Is irridessa still here?

The princess has anxiety - Commercial poster for The borderline berrybears! Now in stores and online for only the small price of one less symptom!

The princess is happy now, maybe to happy? - Commercial poster for The borderline berrybears! Now in stores and online for only the small price of one less symptom!

Unicorns live here - I'm a real unicorn, don't you believe me?

The princess - Can you love me unconditionally?

Disturbed souls for sale! - Can you care for me?

Welcome to Jessiebessie’s Toys! - Come in and look around but be warned! play with care!

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