Limerick creatives share unique project which sees models matched to dolls as a 'mini me'

A COLLABORATIVE project between Limerick based artists and businesses sees models and dolls be matched as a “mini me”. 

The ‘Bab0g’ photoshoot, based in Limerick, showcased four models and four matching Blythe dolls. The title is influenced by the Irish word ‘Bábóg’, meaning doll.

It is a creative project between Limerick School of Art and Design (LSAD) and Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) graduates, as well as Limerick businesses ODD salon and three.by.eight studio, located in William St.

This project was created and directed by Raheen native Javier Tapia, TUS graduate and produced and co-produced by Tiffany Uwatse and Julie O’Reilly, also from Raheen.

The dolls were completely customised, to hair style and colour, eye colour, skin tone and clothing. 

“One of my objectives with this project was to make myself and my friends be able to see each other in this type of format, like a mini me, because I often don’t see custom Blythes or dolls that look like me,” the director said.

“I don’t often see people of colour represented in those spaces [Irish media] and I think it was very important for me to bring that into an Irish space.”

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Local hair stylist, Emma Marcey and owner of ODD Salon in Thomas St created custom and identical wigs and hair pieces for each model and doll with other stylists Laura Carey and Niamh Kiely. 

Jamie Moore, owner of three.by.eight lent out his photo studio for the shoot. LSAD graduate Will McLoughlin was a photographer on the shoot. 

Having been in production since last November and shot in February of this year, the group will be exhibiting in People's Museum of Limerick for a week, starting off with a launch event on August 8.

The models were Wei Ying, Michelle Turner, Aisling Quinn and Sekera Mohamed Besta.