British artist Stuart Semple has stirred up the art world once again with the release of his latest creation: Pinkie, the self-proclaimed “Barbiest pink paint.” The timing of this release coincides with the much-anticipated theatrical premiere of the new movie Barbie. The unique shade of paint is Semple’s response to toy company Mattel’s registered trademark on the iconic Barbie pink, which has caused controversy in the creative community.
Pinkie is a result of Semple’s artistic ingenuity, blending high-quality acrylic resins, optical brighteners, and cutting-edge fluorescent pigments. It is his way of challenging the exclusive hold Mattel has on the signature color associated with the beloved Barbie franchise. Mattel’s trademark has left many artists hesitant to use the color, fearing potential legal repercussions.
In a bold move, Semple decided to make Pinkie available for public purchase, allowing creatives to freely utilize the vibrant pink pigment without fear of legal consequences. However, there is a condition for buyers: they must pledge not to be affiliated with Mattel in any way and ensure that the paint will not end up in the hands of anyone associated with the toy company.
This isn’t the first time Stuart Semple has taken on the issue of exclusive color rights. His previous pigment, Blink, billed as the “blackest black ink,” faced opposition from Anish Kapoor, who holds exclusive rights to Vantablack, a renowned substance dubbed the world’s darkest black.
Semple’s innovative and controversial color palette doesn’t end with Pinkie and Blink. He is also known for creating Black 3.0, which is touted as the world’s blackest acrylic paint. Additionally, he developed TIFF, a paint with a hue reminiscent of the iconic Tiffany Blue. Another addition to his color collection includes a version of Yves Klein’s famous blue, known as IKB (International Klein Blue), cleverly renamed by Semple as Incredibly Kleinish Blue.
In his pursuit of making colors accessible to everyone, Semple even created the plugin Freetone, offering the public access to 1,280 colors without charge. The plugin serves as an alternative to purchasing colors through software giants Adobe and Pantone.
Stuart Semple’s artistic journey has been marked by his unwavering commitment to breaking down barriers and democratizing colors. By challenging restrictive color trademarks and offering his own vibrant creations to the public, he has become a prominent figure in the ongoing debate surrounding art, copyright, and creativity.
As Pinkie enters the artistic landscape, artists and creators alike will once again find themselves inspired by Semple’s mission to liberate colors from corporate control and encourage a free and unrestricted exploration of creativity. The release of the “Barbiest pink paint” serves as a reminder that the world of art is continually evolving, and artists like Semple are at the forefront, shaping its colorful future.