The slogan “Girl Power” is often credited to the punk band Bikini Kill, who published a zine under that name in 1991. But celebrating women’s empowerment isn’t limited to the ’90s. The past decade alone has seen a rise in social activism surrounding women’s rights, and artists have been quick to jump on board, giving their take on women’s struggle to be heard. Women of the world, unite! (Other people are invited too). Here are some of our favorite illustrators on Instagram promoting girl power.
Alessandra Genualdo
Illustrator and painter, Alessandra Genualdo, is known for her striking women portraits. They are intertwined with natural motifs like flowers and leaves. Her subjects often stare directly forward, making for an uneasy effect, as their gaze seems to linger on. “The female figure is a big source of inspiration,” Genualdo shared with Creative Boom. “Many of the works I produce have been influenced by what surrounds me, my memories, women I have met, so can be considered a metaphorical reinterpretation of reality,” she added.
Stephanie DeAngelis
Los Angeles based illustrator, Stephanie DeAngelis, wants to remind women to take a breather, because – let’s face it – life can be rough and we all deserve a break. Her playful illustrations portray women going about doing their thing. One is seen stretching, while another enjoys a bowl of noodles. “My personal work comes from a passion for storytelling and aims to accurately portray women and the female form within art,” DeAngelis writes on her website.
Laci Jordan
Laci Jordan’s digital illustrations are bold, vibrant, and unapologetic. And so are her women subjects. “I tend to work in a few different spaces, from streetwear to activism, and there are different challenges in each space,” she shared in an interview with Create & Cultivate. “Common challenges are equality in both pay and opportunities. I also hear people say that they can’t find women artists or artists of color when recruiting; leading to another challenge in visibility — I’ve heard this a TON in the corporate space. Good thing it’s platforms like Women Who Draw and Women Illustrators of Color that give a directory of dope artists.”
