Artist Piper Adonya believes all people should be seen and heard.
“That’s why I love creating designs of people of color; everyone deserves to see themselves reflected in art,” said Adonya, a Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University alumna who worked on visual development for “Black Barbie: A Documentary.”
The new film tells the story of how the first Black Barbie came to be in 1980 and introduces viewers to the women who made her happen. It also examines the longtime shortsightedness of a toy industry that never imagined a Black Barbie selling.
That battle for representation strikes a deep chord with Adonya, who uses her own illustrations and designs to educate people about the importance of celebrating diversity.
“The sheer amount of time children spend with their dolls is enough to pause and reflect on what those toys look like … and how much the influence of having one that actually looks like