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Prince and David Bowie Kokeshi Dolls Pay Adorable Tribute to the Music Legends

By Kelly Richman-Abdou on February 22, 2019

Prince and David Bowie made their marks as some of music's most important icons. Though the pair tragically passed away in 2016, memorials continue to pour in, from a blossoming mural to a bustling installation. Putting a playful spin on these touching tributes, Becky Kemp of Sketch.Ink has turned the musical greats into modern Kokeshi dolls.

Like all of Kemp's Kokeshi, each figurine comes to life through tiny, telling details. Clad in his signature shade of purple and donning his distinctive pencil mustache, this Prince doll pays perfect homage to the “Little Red Corvette” singer. Though small in stature, this figurine really packs a purple punch!

In order to capture the dreamy spirit of Ziggy Stardust—Bowie's alter ego—Kemp gave the David Bowie doll an out-of-this-world sense of style. His metallic jumpsuit, glistening make up, and bright red locks are enough to evoke the late, great singer, but it's his lightning bolt face paint that really illuminates his identity.

Kemp has designed the dolls with minimalism in mind—an aesthetic that characterizes the age-old Kokeshi craft. While the singers themselves were anything but simple, this unlikely approach is surprisingly fitting: can you imagine any other artists more interested in turning convention on its head?

You can find these rocking Kokeshi dolls in the My Modern Met Store.