10 Badass Women: The Art Edition
An ode to the women leaving an everlasting mark in the art industry during Women’s History Month.
The world revolves around art. Everything we see, hear, and feel is art. Often, we can’t even imagine where we’d be without it because it’s so essential. Whether painters, sculptors, gallerists, or all of the above, these ten women are changing the world one art piece at a time. Supporting the arts and artists is imperative to allow them to continue creating it. Their impact of storytelling through various mediums is why these artists are on this list of 10 badass women during Women’s History Month.
Rafaella Braga
Rafaella began her career as an artist through graffiti in the streets of Brazil. The Berlin and New York-based Brazilian painter now creates larger-than-life pieces. Her fearlessness and freedom reflect her artwork to make whatever she’s feeling or experiencing. She so far has collaborated with Hugo, Nike, Calvin Klein, and more.
Sophie Collé
Sophie makes furniture that you can play with. Her well-known pieces and objects can be seen at the MoMA Design Store. Her vibrant-colored fun designs include tables, shelves, consoles, chairs, and more. She’ll also make you a custom piece if you want out-of-the-ordinary house objects like clocks, radiator covers—you name it. Her pieces have been featured in Vogue, East Room, The New York Times, and more.
Natasha Fortson
Natasha’s artwork is all about the sensors. The painter, printmaker, sculptor, curator, and tattoo artist specializes in multimedia and large-scale pieces and takes her cathartic processes very seriously. She incorporates research into all of her art. Her current exhibition, We Found A Well, is on view at the Grizzly Grizzly Gallery in Philadelphia until April 28.
Ja’Tovia Gary
Ja’Tovia is one of the most profound artists we know. The multifaceted Texas native uses avant-garde filmworks, sculptures, video art, and installations to highlight Black feminist subjectivity. Inspired by Black women like bell hooks and Nina Simone, she has exhibited at over a dozen museums and festivals, including MoMA, The Whitney Museum, the Brooklyn Academy of Music, and many more.
Misha Japanwala
Misha’s artwork and fashion pieces’ purpose is to tear down the notions of body shaming, moral and body policing, censorship, and lack of autonomy. The Pakistani artist is known for creating casts of body molds, displaying breasts and the midsection. She wants her artwork to break down the barriers between fashion and fine art and clothing and art. Each piece represents the reclamation of their bodies from patriarchy and objectification.
Chasity Londyn
Chasity is the mastermind behind her brainchild, Black Art Matters: The Pop-Up. The platform is a space for Black artists and entrepreneurs to showcase their work. Since 2010, the Pasadena-based creative has curated music festivals. She then went bicoastal, focusing on Black Joy and success for artists countrywide. Since she began Black Art Matters, she has brought hundreds of Black artists and entrepreneurs to light at pop-up events and on social media.
Anya Paintsil
With Ghanaian and Welsh heritages, Anya combines her skills in traditional hand rug-making techniques with afro-hair styling. The London-based textile artist has circulated textile artwork, works on paper, and installations throughout Europe and is now making her mark in other countries and continents. Since her 2020 debut, she has exhibited in public and private institutions, representing her bountiful background.
Charisse Pearlina Weston
Charisse is a renowned multimedia artist and writer. Her work has been featured in the Whitney Biennial, Frieze LA, MoMA PS1, The Studio Museum in Harlem, and many more. The multidisciplinary Texas native, Brooklyn-based artist specializes in every art form, from installations, sculptures, canvases, photography, video and sound, and book writing.
India Solomon
What doesn’t India do? Born and raised in Detroit, she’s mastered her signature painting style, mid-scale murals, garments, and home goods of her paint designs. The philanthropic artist is also dedicated to community work and utilizing her artwork for good. India’s abstract work can be seen in art galleries, homes, stores (including her own storefront gallery, Fluid Spaces), and event spaces throughout Detroit. She founded CityShares, fusing her love for art with giving back the love she receives.
We all know and love Hannah for her acclaimed art gallery, the Hannah Traore Gallery. She created this art gallery to acknowledge and celebrate the underrepresented in the art world. Many of the artists exhibited are a part of marginalized communities. She focuses on a constant dialogue, pushing boundaries for artists’ unique narratives.
