Bratz dolls are hardly realistic role models for young girls — but artist Wendy Tsao is determined to transform those same dolls into real-life female heroes to inspire young girls.
Tsao expertly removes the heavy makeup from the dolls, and adds some homemade touches to create dolls modeled after real women such as Frida Kahlo, J.K. Rowling, and Malala Yousafzai.
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Tsao writes about her inspiration for the "Mighty dolls" series on Bored Panda:
Through my work in Child’s Own Studio, I am familiar with the notion that toys can become a source of comfort, pride and meaning for a child (and even adults). The dolls we find in toy stores today are often licenced [sic] Disney™ characters or the heroines of Hollywood blockbuster movies that capitalize on the pull of fantasy, fictional characters to young consumers. But there are real-life people who are heroes too, with inspiring stories of courage, intelligence, strength and uniqueness. Could children learn about and be inspired by them through toys?
Tsao hopes that the "Mighty dolls" will encourage kids to learn more about strong and intelligent women, and participate in conversations about them.
"In this project, I repainted and reclothed the manufactured dolls into the likeness of real, inspiring women – as young girls," Tsao writes. "As a parent, I’d love for my child to play with a young J.K. Rowling or Malala and have conversations about them."
Malala Yousafzai
J.K. Rowling
Waris Dirie
Jane Goodall
Frida Kahlo
Roberta Bondar