The article examines Desirees Holman’s videos in the exhibition Effigy at Gallery YYZ from Nov 4- Dec 16 2006. Desiree Holman creates animated idols out of latex or wearing clay masks that crack apart. She acts through her characters in videos, photographs, and sculptures. She explores group processes as happening in families, posses, romantic relationships, and collectives. Her work questions the viewer’s expectations on media and its uses, and on the position of the artist within the work.