Which doll do you like?
Artist John Lee Bird is preparing for his next exhibition. We asked him to introduce us to five of his dolls and give us a little bit of backstory.
Meet the FIVE.
We know it’s rude to pick favourites, but if you had to choose, who would be your number one?
.1.
BOWIE, BOWIE, BOWIE - everything begins with David Bowie. So, my favourite doll is the 69 Bowie dolls I made – even if I now look at them all and think I could remake them much better if I went back and started the project again. I wouldn’t change a thing.
My obsession with Bowie began early; my auntie played me the LOW album and on my third birthday I asked for my own copy (along with a Wonder Woman doll). I wanted the Bowie album mainly because of the song Always Crashing In The Same Car where Bowie sings the name Jasmine; I loved Teddy Edward, and Teddy Edward’s girlfriend was a rabbit called Jasmine - so I imagined the song (and album) was all about them driving around and having adventures on some weird planet. It took a few years for me to learn that the song wasn’t about any of this at all!
Teddy Eddy and Jasmine
Bowie – LOW = The first doll of what was to become the project.
.2.
Xiu Xiu = This is the ‘LA’ version; Jamie Stewart is my mate and it was Lockdown and I was listening to the new album so I wanted him closer to me… and Angela ‘Strandgela’ too.
.3.
Sukie Smith = Another dear friend, comrade and collaborator. Sukie is my anchor; a total doll. We’ve been working on some things for her new project of sound-vision. It’s all rather secret and special, and there’s a hint of what’s to come in this doll.
.4.
Sigourney Weaver = Because of Ellen Ripley, and because she’s the only celebrity I’d actually crumble into pieces over if I ever got to meet her. So it’s probably best I turned my admiration into a doll and spare her from my fanboy fawning.
.5.
Nigel and Louise! = My Laboratory lovelies who’ve backed my work and been wonderful friends for so many years. You were the final dolls of the series. I saved the best ‘til last!
And they are the five.
John Lee Bird is a doll. Self portrait. Courtesy of the artist.
Stay tuned for exhibition details coming soon…