Doll Artist
Chesterfield, VA
Priyah Bhagat is a self-taught black doll artist who is passionate about doll making, including its history and its traditions. For over ten years, she has worked from her home in Chesterfield to create cloth dolls and doll crafts that empower and celebrate the beauty and resiliency of black culture.
She draws inspiration from the broad African diaspora and African American culture, art and traditions, infusing each doll with vibrant colors, intricate patterns, and cultural references. Breathing life into each unique creation, her artistry goes beyond aesthetics. She is firmly committed to sustainable practices and uses ethically sourced materials whenever possible, incorporating recycled fabrics and repurposed materials into her artwork.
Priyah Bhagat’s thought-provoking work has been featured in galleries in both solo shows and group exhibitions. Additionally, she actively engages in community workshops to create positive change. She seeks to inspire, to build self-awareness, and to bring about transformation through the creative act of doll crafting. She sees this art form as both a physical and spiritual creative act and a catalyst for social change. As history has taught us—from play to ritual to art—the doll remains a vital part of our social structure. Every doll has a story to tell.