6 Women & Female-led Organisations Shaking Up the Art World
by Alina Uspenskaya, ArtSocial Foundation Founder | 8th March 2021
As a female-led organisation, we're hugely inspired and supported by many other women in the art world. This International Women's Day and throughout Women's History Month, we're celebrating women in the arts.
It’s no secret that, like in many other sectors, women have never been treated equally in the art world. While women make up 51% of visual artists today, only 13.7% of living artists represented by galleries in Europe and North America are women.* On average, only 5% of artworks sold at auction are by female artists and, the overwhelming majority of art displayed in museums is by male artists.**
In recent years there have been a few much-talked-about appointments of women to leading positions in UK galleries. Despite this, men continue to outnumber women in cultural leadership roles.***
There is still much more work to do in getting more women the recognition they deserve, but there have been some exciting shifts in the last decade. The conversation has grown louder and attention is finally being paid to more women in the art world.
Today, we're highlighting just six of the women and female-led organisations who are pioneering this change. We asked them to give us one piece of invaluable advice to share with other women in the arts...
The Collector
Valeria Napoleone, photographed by Tom Jamieson for The New York Times
1. Valeria Napoleone
Have you ever meet someone and been so impressed and inspired by them that even a few days later, you keep reflecting on the things they said? This is exactly what happened to us when we met Valeria Napoleone, an art collector who’s been exclusively collecting work by women artists.
Aware of the underrepresentation of women artists in museums and galleries, Valeria Napoleone first set out to create a collection of art showcasing works of women artists who deserved more recognition over 20 years ago.
Valeria's art collection is an inspiring example of women supporting women; she has personal, long-standing relationships with many artists whose works she owns. Thanks to her prominent profile in the art world, Valeria enhances an artist’s career when buying from them.
Valeria's strong belief in the importance of arts for children's development is also incredibly inspiring. Being a mother of three, including a daughter with special needs, she is convinced that art and creativity are as important as academic studies.
The ArtSocial Patrons Club meets Valeria Napoleone, feminist art collector
“The beauty of kids growing up around contemporary art is the elasticity of their brains. They’re endlessly curious and ask questions in a way that adults don’t. They look at these artists and they see that they’ve created their own destiny. That’s the big lesson I’ve learned. You have to find your own way in life.”
The Curator
Frances Morris, photographed by Hugo Glendinning for Tate
2. Frances Morris
The vast majority of the world's biggest museums are directed by men. In 2016 we were excited to see a woman put at the head of one of our favourite galleries, The Tate Modern.
After a long career at Tate––joining as a curator in 1987–– Frances Morris was promoted to her current role in 2016. In her previous role as Director of Collection - International Art, Frances led the collection's radical transformation, diversifying its international reach and representation of women artists. Under her leadership, the number of women artists in the Tate collection is growing. More and more gallery’s rooms and exhibitions are devoted to sole female artists.
Frances’ career path is inspiring for any woman in the arts. From a modest background, attending a South London state school, Frances is now Director of the world’s leading museum – an incredible achievement in a class-orientated, male-dominated industry.
“I always say to people now, go and work in a small organisation, don’t work for a big museum until you’ve cut your teeth and had those experiences because you’re so protected in a big organisation.”
The Creators
Mari Katayama, you’re Mine #002, 2014. © Mari Katayama
3. Mari Katayama
Alina and Mari Katayama at the ArtSocial Patrons Club tour of Katayama’s exhibition. London, 2019.
Japanese artist, Mari Katayama is a striking example of how powerful and transformative arts and creativity can be for people with disabilities.
Born with a rare condition, Mari had both legs amputated at the age of 9 which made her feel isolated and alone growing up. Mari used her creativity to express her feelings to the world, using her body as a living sculpture.
Mari is a powerful role model for children with disabilities that we work with. Through her success and exploration of her body in her artwork, she has proven that a disability does not limit your talent or define who you are.
Adelaide Damoah
4. Adelaide Damoah
Adelaide Damoah is another artist who uses her body as a canvas. A painter and performance artist, Adelaide's work explores feminism, colonialism and spirituality.
We particularly admire Adelaide's activism and the role that she plays in championing the work of other under-represented artists.
Adelaide is a founding member of the BBFA Collective (Black British Female Artists Collective) and the INFEMS Collective (Intersectional Feminist Art Collective), both collectives were born from a lack of representation, to provide platforms for the best female emerging artists.
“It is difficult to give a single piece of advice to anyone wishing to pursue [art] because everything is so interconnected. Only follow this path if you are completely in love with art and your craft and are therefore willing and able to keep trying when you fail or are rejected. Mentors have been important to my development. Develop an authentic relationship with someone who is ahead of you in their career and respectfully ask them to mentor you and listen carefully to their advice. Finally, develop relationships with your peers. Collaborate, form groups or collectives. Organise. When you do this effectively, your collective power will always be far greater than any power you could wield alone in our unique, complex and beautiful industry.”
The Campaigners
Liezel Strauss and Nina Sareena of ArtGirlRising
5. ArtGirlRising: Liezel Strauss & Nina Sareena
Passionate about addressing the under-representation of women artists, ArtGirlRising is a platform raising awareness about gender inequality in the art world, managed and run by Liezel Strauss and Nina Sareena.
We love ArtGirlRising's Instagram, which champions female artists and sparks a conversation around the issue of under-representation. Through the sale of t-shirts and tote bags on their website, ArtGirlRising has now donated more than £11,000 to female-led arts organisations and charities.
Anisa Morridadi, founder of The Beatfreeks Collective
6. Anisa Morridadi
Just as we are working to change the lives of children and young people through the arts, Anisa inspires us to keep doing good with her organisation, The Beatfreeks Collective.
Beatfreeks connects young creatives to brands, government and funders intending to get young people their share of power. As another female-led arts organisation, we're inspired by the way that Anisa pushes creativity as a tool for social change.
“Your womanhood and life experiences are a superpower. Don’t shrink to make others comfortable - the world deserves to experience you just as you are in each unfolding moment. ”