Body image and the portrayal of women in popular children's toys has been a topic of recent controversy in the past few years. Specifically, many people feel that the unrealistic proportions set by dolls such as Barbies and Bratz ultimately lead to a negative body image for young girls, as they compare themselves to these unattainable, simply unrealistic proportions presented to them. Artist and crafter Wendy Tsao has decided to take this controversial topic and mold it into something good, and has therefore developed the "makeunder" project. Specifically using Bratz dolls, Tsao removes the heavy makeup and hides the unrealistic proportions, morphing the dolls into important female figures throughout history.
The process of creating these dolls is a tedious one. To begin, Tsao uses a chemical formula to remove the features from the faces of the dolls. Next, she cuts and dyes the hair so that it resembles that of the woman in which she hopes to create. After the hair is finished, Tsao hand paints new features on the dolls face, paying close attention to the features of the women she is basing her creations after. Finally, Tsao hand sews outfits for the dolls to complete their transformations. After each doll is created, Tsao posts prcoess shots on her website (such as the one above) alongside a description of the woman in which the doll represents, to explain their significance in history, their field of study or work, and how their legacies have continued on today.
As these dolls have grown in popularity, Tsao has established popular Ebay and Etsy pages to promote her work. One of the things I think is truly beautiful about her desire to continue to support this message of female empowerment through her work is that with each doll she sells, 30% of the proceeds go to an organization created after the woman in which the doll represents, such as the Malala Yousfazai Foundation. By creating these works of art, Tsao has made it possible for little girls, and children all over, to own a doll that empowers them to chase after their dreams rather than creating a facade of false body expectations. Through her work, Tsao truly emphasizes her message: that women, past and future, can hold a significant place in history.
The process of creating these dolls is a tedious one. To begin, Tsao uses a chemical formula to remove the features from the faces of the dolls. Next, she cuts and dyes the hair so that it resembles that of the woman in which she hopes to create. After the hair is finished, Tsao hand paints new features on the dolls face, paying close attention to the features of the women she is basing her creations after. Finally, Tsao hand sews outfits for the dolls to complete their transformations. After each doll is created, Tsao posts prcoess shots on her website (such as the one above) alongside a description of the woman in which the doll represents, to explain their significance in history, their field of study or work, and how their legacies have continued on today.
As these dolls have grown in popularity, Tsao has established popular Ebay and Etsy pages to promote her work. One of the things I think is truly beautiful about her desire to continue to support this message of female empowerment through her work is that with each doll she sells, 30% of the proceeds go to an organization created after the woman in which the doll represents, such as the Malala Yousfazai Foundation. By creating these works of art, Tsao has made it possible for little girls, and children all over, to own a doll that empowers them to chase after their dreams rather than creating a facade of false body expectations. Through her work, Tsao truly emphasizes her message: that women, past and future, can hold a significant place in history.