Monica Deferr Country: Switzerland
		Title:  Homeless Barbie Scene of: When Plastic Turns Into Flesh Medium: Photography Size: 60 x 40 cm

Deferr was born in Lima, Peru. She currently lives and works in St. Léonard, Switzerland. She received her Diploma in Experimental Photography from Ecole Cantonale des Beaux ­ Arts de Sion, Valais, Switzerland. Other topics of study at E.C.B.A. included Film Installation and Printmaking. Earlier, she attended the Institut de Graphisme Toulouse-Lautrec, Lima, Peru. Deferr's work is mainly based on questioning certain myths related to the human condition, specifically to women. She breaks myths through exaggerating or contradicting the role of the different characters ­ giving these characters ironic and dramatic connotations. For example, a contemporary myth of female beauty, Barbie, reflects a deformed ideal of female perfection. In a series of photographs, Deferr challenges Barbie's perfect world by placing her in situations of suffering, poverty, and chaos.

Her selected solo exhibitions include: Forum d'Art Contemporain, Sierre, Switzerland, 1995; and Ruine, Geneva, Switzerland, 1994.

Her selected group exhibitions include: Anniversary Exhibition, Forum d'Art Contemporain, Sierre, Switzerland, 1999; 1st Tour de la Bouse Fédérale de Beaux-Arts de Switzerland, Kunst Messe, Basel, Switzerland, 1994; and Duddley House, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 1994.