Bratz to brains: Vancouver artist transforms dolls into role models

An artist from Vancouver has transformed Bratz into dolls that inspire.

Wendy Tsao wiped the makeup off dolls known for high heels and over-the-top outfits and transformed them into the likeness of young girls who grew up to become Jane Goodall, Dr. Roberta Bondar and Malala Yousoufzai.

Tsao calls them her "Mighty Dolls."

"You go into a toy store, you'll find dolls, they're basically Bratz dolls, Barbies and Disney princesses," said the artist. "I wondered why aren't there other alternatives. There should be role model dolls that are available too."

Bratz dolls were the subject of controversy several years ago. Critics argued they contrinbuted to the sexualization of children and "make-unders" became popular.

Tsao was inspired by an Australian artist who is known for giving the dolls make-unders but it wasn't until she read a story about Jane Goodall as a curious little girl, that it hit her this was the type of character children would find relatable.

"If a child plays with a young Jane Goodall will she think, 'Oh when Jane Goodall grows up, she did things that were important to her. When I grow up, maybe I should be doing things that are important to me.'"

As an artist, Tsao says she doesn't claim to know if traditional dolls could negatively impact a child's self-image but thought the notion of creating a positive impact through toys was worth exploring.

One-of-a-kind

Tsao's dolls have soared in popularity. She's been interviewed by major media outlets from the U.S. to Italy. She's received emails from parents and children who want to buy the dolls but she doesn't plan on replicating them to sell.

The artist says they're all one-of-a-kind pieces salvaged from used dolls that required her to take hair colour, texture and skin tone into consideration in order to create them.

The handful of prototypes will be going up on an online auction site.

Tsao has toyed with the idea of taking custom orders, but until then, she's encouraging manufacturers to "step up" and create dolls with more meaning.

"It would be great if we saw more of these kinds of dolls on the market and kids could play with these dolls and learn what these little girls grew up to do and get inspired by that. And believe that they could do something similar themselves. That they have the potential to do something like that."