Ever since their introduction at the World Exhibition in Paris back in 1900, traditional Russian nesting dolls have captured both the hearts and minds of children and adults from around the globe. Known by many names, most commonly as either matryoshka dolls or babushka dolls, these iconic wooden dolls have become a symbol of Russia, but their charm didn’t go unnoticed in numerous other countries, inspiring artists and designers from every corner of our planet.
Andy Stattmiller is among those artists and he did quite an amazing thing by merging Russian nesting dolls, which we all loved as children, and pop culture. The San Francisco-based artist creates matryoshka dolls featuring the main characters from iconic movies, and we love them. Check them out!
The Big Lebowski
The die-hard Big Lebowski fans will love this one. Instead of the cutesy Russian ladies, in descending orders the dolls represent the troublesome Walter, his dudeness “The Dude,” the purple loving, Latino bowler Jesus, Maude Lebowski, The Big Lebowski, The Stranger (narrator), and the marmot that gets tossed into the Dude’s bathtub. We expected also a tiny doll of a rug or the pinky toe, but naah.
Check his blog for more interesting projects.
If you are a respected member of “The Dudeism” or merely a fan of the movie, by now you surely have noticed that Donni is missing, but don’t panic, keep calm and look closer to spot Donny’s ghost over Walter’s shoulder.Walter is also carrying his ex-wife’s Pomeranian.
Batman Nesting Dolls
POW! You can forget about traditional nesting dolls, which most probably feature a peasant mother dressed in native costume because Stattmiller’s acrylic handpainted nesting dolls sets also include the superheroes and evil villains from the classic 1960s Batman television series. And since it is the duty of every good citizen of Gotham City to report meeting a nesting doll from the iconic series, we’ve made a decision to share Stattmiller’s amazing works of art with you.
As you might have guessed, the biggest nesting doll in this set is of course Batman. Then follow the rest of the iconic characters, which include Robin, The Joker, Batgirl, The Riddler, Alfred, Catwoman, and the Penguin.
The Forest Gump set
One day, for no particular reason, artist Andy Stattmiller decided to create a nesting doll featuring Forrest Gump. So he rolled up his sleeves and masterfully handpainted it. And when he finished painting Forest Gump, he thought that it would be nice to create a nesting doll featuring Gump’s best good friend Bubba so they can watch out for each other, like brothers and stuff. Stattmiller figured, since he painted Bubba, maybe he could also paint a doll featuring Jenny, Gump’s true love. Stattmiller just kept on goin’ and created nesting dolls featuring Forrest’s beloved mam and Lieutenant Dan. He figured, since he’d gone this far, he might as well create a nesting doll featuring the most beautiful thing Gump ever saw, Forrest Jr.
Ghostbusters!
Who are you gonna call? Ghostbuster nesting dolls from left to right: Stay Puft Marshmallow Man, Ray Stantz, Peter Venkman, Egon Spengler and Slimer.
He-Man
Even the Masters of the Universe are brought to life in a Stattmiller creation. Here are Skeletor, He-Man, Battlecat, She-Ra and Orko.
Pulp Fiction
Say Nesting dolls again, we dare you, we double dare you. Here is a superb ephemera of Tarantino’s all-time classic Pulp Fiction. The iconic characters in the form of nesting dolls are presented from first to last: Marsellus Wallace, Vincent Vega, Jules Winnfield, Mia Wallace, Butch Coolidge, Winston “The Wolf” Wolfe, and The Gimp.
Star Wars
And of course The Star Wars Empire, from Darth Vader to R2D2. Stattmiller has hand-painted two matryoshka dolls, one set for the Empire and one with characters representing the Rebel Alliance.
Here: Darth Vader, Stormtrooper, Wilhuff “Grand Moff” Tarkin, TIE Fighter Pilot, Tusken Raider, Greedo, and Jawa.
Read another story from us: At one time Amish children played with faceless dolls
Chewbacca, Han Solo, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, C-3PO and R2D2.