The most courageous act is still to think for yourself. Aloud.
Coco Chanel
Happy International Women's Day! To celebrate, a selection of the island community are sharing the artists who inspire them, dead or alive.
On this day we're celebrating women in the arts. You may recognise some of them and you may (like us) be pleasantly surprised to learn about someone you hadn't heard of before. Below is a selection of inspiring women artists as shared by members of the creative community on the island.
People
My favourite artists are Mona Hatoum, Marina Abramovic and Yayoi Kusama – all female artists and not one of them highlight feminism as a central point to the concept of their artistic practises.
These women draw on internal, mental experiences in their work. Whether it be their own personal life journeys impacting their artwork, or attempting to impact their audiences’ mental states, their work addresses neither male or female but to the soul within.
I appreciate and support feminist artists, but what I admire about these ladies is that they do not feel that just because they are women, that feminism is all they are allowed to express through their artwork, which can often be assumed as a stereotype for female artists.
Olivia Savage, Arts Graduate Intern for the Isle of Man Arts Council
Mine would be Aphra Behn who is one of the first ever female playwrights and author of one my favourite plays - The Rover. Not only did she break boundaries in the literary world but she was also a spy for Charles II. She has been an inspiration to numerous female writers since and for me a very witty woman whose writing still resonates today.
Sharon Walker, Member of the Isle of Man Arts Council
Mine currently is Elin Manahan Thomas. Her incredible voice inspired me to explore Baroque music further and, as a result, I have discovered some true delights, many pieces I may have otherwise never discovered.
Steven Daykin, Member of the Isle of Man Arts Council
I’d have to pick Artemisia Gentileschi, a 17th Century Italian Baroque painter. At a time when women were often denied opportunities to train in the arts, Artemisia was introduced to painting by her father and was the first woman to become a member of the Accademia di Arte del Disegno in Florence. Her highly naturalistic paintings feature realistic portrayals of women often as protagonists in positions of power, in stark contrast to the idealised and stylised portrayals of timid women favoured by most male artists at the time. Arguably her most famous painting is 'Judith Slaying Holofernes', a visceral piece that shows Judith intently focused on her bloody task.
Jade Boylan, Member of the Isle of Man Arts Council
British actress. Now aged 86, her career is now in its sixth decade and Dame Judi has pioneered the stage and screen for British performers, working for the National Theatre Company, the Royal Shakespeare Company, West End theatre, on television and in film, smashing the female glass ceiling by taking the iconic role of “M” in the James Bond films. Seven time Academy Award nominee, winning Best Supporting Actress for her performance in “Shakespeare in Love”. She is an outspoken critic of prejudice in the film industry against older actresses and is the patron of over 180 charities mostly related to either the arts, medical (particularly disability in young people) or wildlife causes.
Inspiring to me as a living icon who doesn’t conform in the arts by just ticking the boxes of femininity set by males in the industry, and who has forged her own path in a way that has suited her, often taking difficult roles portraying other strong women such as Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth 1. A joy to watch and delightful in every way about her experiences, opportunities and life, she is, without doubt, one of this country’s finest living actresses who continues to promote the arts in all she does.
Jane Corkill, Arts Development Manager
Janet Lees!! For sure! I have never really been interested in poetry, but ever since I first read one of Janet's poem's I have been obsessed with them!! So incredibly powerful and visual, on such important topics. They feel almost physical as you read them. You've opened the door to a world I thought was firmly shut to me! I just hadn't found the right poetry that spoke to me yet was all!
Sarah Mercer, recent Biosphere Intern at Culture Vannin
I have to agree with Sarah in that since meeting and participating in Janet's writing for wellbeing workshops, it has started a lifelong love of poetry and creative writing for me. In Janet's workshops, there is a sense that everyone has creativity in them that can be coaxed out with a mixture of the right prompt and gentle accountability that her workshops offer to flourish on the page.
Grainney Sheard, Arts Engagement Officer for the Isle of Man Arts Council
I know it's cliché to include Frida Kahlo but there is a very good reason why she is so well loved and an inspiration to many other artists. She was a true embodiment of the 'unapologetic woman' which for the time that she was creating art in, was truly pioneering. Frida remains an icon to both feminists and artists alike and it is her stubborn determination to be authentically herself that still holds great appeal today.
Grainney Sheard, Arts Engagement Officer for the Isle of Man Arts Council
Even though she's known around the globe for her stunning songwriting and sparkling personality, Dolly Parton is most well-known in her home state for being an incredibly generous philanthropist. She's long been a champion for causes that range from childhood literacy to environmental conservation, and this last year, she donated $1 million to fund research to develop a cure for COVID-19. A true legend!
Grainney Sheard, Arts Engagement Officer for the Isle of Man Arts Council
So many female artists inspire me, but especially the following three, as they stayed true to their vision and were pioneers in their field, and are still relevant and revered today. Firstly there’s
sculpture Barbara Hepworth who was a pioneer in modernism, creating beautiful tactile and distinctive work, setting her out as a leader in her craft. She is known as one of the greatest sculptors of the twentieth century, with a career spanning five decades.
Then there’s painter Georgia O’Keeffe recognized as the "Mother of American modernism", whose emotion drove her art, as she painted nature in a way that showed how it made her feel; creating stunningly beautiful and distinctive oil paintings.
Next there’s Dorothea Lange, an influential American documentary photographer, who’s work hugely influenced the development of documentary photography were she was able to humanize the extreme situations in front of her. She portrayed powerful images most people are still familiar with today, and is best known for her Depression-era work with her most well-known portrait being the Migrant Mother, Nipomo, California (1936).
Sara-Jane Charles, Filmmaker and Commercial Director of Photography
I would like to nominate a scottish female artist "Jo Sunshine" for your International Woman's Day. Jo is such an inspirational artist, who is blind, yet creates a work of art everyday.
Alison Mitchie, Writer
Yulia Mahr is an artist, film maker and the creative director of Studio Richter Mahr.
As a BAFTA award-winning filmmaker, whose directing work has been widely exhibited in film festivals, including Tribeca and Edinburgh, Yulia’s work includes online pieces premiered in Wallpaper and The Nowness and a portrait of Yohji Yamamoto's Five Cuts at the MADE Gallery in Berlin. She has produced, alongside Globe and JA productions, the much-lauded feature length documentary of the LA performance of SLEEP, directed by Natalie Johns.
Yulia's filmmaking has its origins in her work as a theatre director focusing on issues of human rights abuses, and in her academic research work in visual anthropology (in which she holds a Masters degree). She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Politics and History from the London School of Economics.
Yulia co-conceived SLEEP, an eight-hour overnight music piece, premiered on BBC Radio 3 in full in 2015 and chosen by BBC Radio 6 as its Album of the Year. Taking her background as theatre director, Yulia devised its stage setting and developed the concept of the communal musical experience. Yulia's conceptual framework for the project perfectly mirrors Richter's immersive soundscape. SLEEP has been played live at The Sydney Opera House, SXSW, the Concertgebouw, Amsterdam, the Philharmonie de Paris and the Barbican amongst others.
Trailer for Sleep:
Martyn Cain, Arts Development Officer
Recommended Resources
The Great Women Artists podcast by Katy Hessel brilliant interviews with and about important artists of the past and present.
Colette Davies, Professional Artist and Tutor at UCM
Can I recommend that people check out @womensart1 on Twitter. It's an account celebrating women's art & creativity, curated by freelance writer & art historian @PL_Henderson1
It is well curated and has taught me a lot about artists too often hidden from view.
Breesha Maddrell, Director of Culture Vannin
