ShareEbtehal Abul is a wife, mother and the first reborn (hyper-realistic) doll sculptor from Kuwait and the Middle East. She began as a collector in 2013 while working as a designer of newborn clothes, using reborn dolls as models. Her passion shifted from collecting to sculpting in 2017 when she discovered her talent after an experimental attempt. Since then, sculpting has become her new passion. In an interview with Kuwait Times, Abul shared insights about her unique art.
Sahar Moussa
Kuwait Times: What sparked your interest in becoming a reborn artist?
Ebtehal Abul: Curiosity led me to discover a talent I didn’t know I had. I always try, and if I fail, I learn. If I fail again, I admit I cannot do it. Initially, I sculpted out of curiosity and was surprised by the result. I realized I could sculpt with clay by hand, which was a gift from God.
KT: What is the biggest challenge you have encountered in creating reborn dolls?
Abul: I have two production lines. The first is the manual production of silicone dolls, which I make from scratch. The second involves sending clay sculptures to a factory for mass production. The most challenging part is producing the dolls manually due to the unavailability of raw materials in Kuwait, making it difficult to produce a single silicone doll.
KT: Tell us about the special doll you named after a martyred girl in Gaza.
Abul: My art is more popular in Western countries. However, as an Arab, I care about Arab issues, especially the Palestinian cause. I named my dolls after the children of Gaza to raise awareness and preserve their names, expressing my solidarity with the Palestinian people. I share many videos in English on my Instagram to highlight the injustice faced by Palestinians. I cried for the children of Gaza and decided to name my dolls after them to immortalize their names.
KT: What is your favorite work or doll and why?
Abul: Sara, inspired by a real child, my friend’s daughter, is my favorite. It was the first doll I produced and distributed worldwide. It has become particularly popular in Latin America.
KT: How did the Kuwaiti community react to your work?
Abul: Reborn dolls are not popular in Kuwait, likely due to their high prices and the perception that dolls are for children. In reality, reborn dolls are intended for adults who appreciate art. Most of my followers are from Western countries.
KT: How long does it take to create a reborn doll? What are the processes?
Abul: Sculpting takes about a month. Making a silicone doll from the sculpture takes longer. It involves making a clay sculpture, creating a mold, pouring silicone, coloring and transplanting hair, taking about two months in total. Mass production in vinyl, a plastic derivative, takes about a month to a month and a half.
KT: What was the most special moment you have experienced?
Abul: I receive letters from women worldwide saying my dolls resemble them when they were young. Watching videos of collectors on YouTube with my children and hearing people from different countries mention my name brings us great joy.
KT: Have you tried to create any other art not related to reborn dolls?
Abul: Yes, I made a sculpture of the late Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. It was the first sculpture I made of an adult, presenting a significant challenge. I was determined to complete it despite the difficulties. The sculpture achieved popular success at an exhibition I participated in, drawing audiences specifically to see it. Shortly afterward, I created a life-size sculpture of the artiste Abdulhussain Abdulredha at the request of his son, Dr Bashar. This project was also challenging but received a warm reception from the audience and, in particular, from Abdulhussain’s family, especially his wife.
KT: Have you encountered people who are scared of your dolls?
Abul: In Kuwait, yes. The idea of the haunted Chucky doll is prevalent, and some fear that spirits will inhabit the dolls. I assure them that I have had dolls since 2013 and have never seen any move!
KT: What is the strangest request you have received?
Abul: An American woman contacted me about a doll that resembled her daughter, who had psychological disorders. She believed the doll might alleviate her daughter’s suffering. I learned that reborn dolls are used to treat psychological trauma, with psychiatrists recommending them to patients.
