Coco Dávez: Amy Winehouse, David Bowie and Prince among portraits in new icons exhibition

David Bowie, Amy Winehouse, and the Queen are among a series of portraits going on display at Maddox Gallery.

Spanish artist Coco Dávez – real name Valeria Palmeiro – is having her first solo exhibition in the UK at the Westbourne Grove gallery with her most recent collection, Faceless, from May 10-31.

The artworks contribute to a conversation around society’s obsession with icons. By removing the facial features of some of the most recognisable people in the world and asking the viewer to guess who they are, the paintings aim to be a fun examination of the characters that have shaped our popular culture. Other figures in the exhibition include Prince, Grace Jones, Muhammad Ali and Frida Kahlo.

Having used Instagram to launch her career, she has since featured on the Forbes 30 under 30 list and been tipped by performance artist Marina Abramović as one to watch in the art world. She has been commissioned by Netflix to create the artwork for the hit series Stranger Things, and previously worked with brands such as Chanel, Dior, Kenzo and Samsung.

Dávez is self-taught and began her artistic career in 2010, while working as an illustrator for Spanish newspaper El Mundo.

Faceless runs at the Maddox Gallery Westbourne Grove from May 10-31, maddoxgallery.com