Dear Readers,

Art is more than just expression—it’s a force for change, healing, and connection. This September, we’re celebrating Inspiring Women in the Arts by highlighting four incredible women from visual arts, performance art, music, and literature. Their passion, talent, and dedication to their craft have transformed the artistic landscape, inspiring others to follow their creative paths. These women are not only creating art; they’re challenging the status quo and pushing society to think and feel more deeply. Their work resonates with the mission of Women Rising Strong, as they use their art to open up conversations that matter.

Let’s dive into their stories.

1. Visual Arts: Toyin Ojih Odutola (Nigeria/USA)

Art as Storytelling

Toyin Ojih Odutola is a Nigerian-American visual artist known for her striking use of charcoal, pastel, and ink. Her work is often described as "visual storytelling," as it explores deep questions about identity, race, and power. In early 2024, Toyin continued to make waves with her solo exhibition Ilé Oriaku at Kunsthalle Basel. Now, her newest exhibition, What It Becomes, is taking place at the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York from August 24, 2024, to January 12, 2025. This exhibition delves deeper into identity and transformation, making it a must-see.

Toyin’s art feels like a conversation—one that challenges us to rethink how we see ourselves and the world around us. By blending her Nigerian roots with contemporary portraiture, she creates a visual language that speaks across cultures and generations.

Why She Resonates with Women Rising Strong: Toyin’s art reminds us of the power of stories—whether told through words or images. She teaches us to embrace our heritage while also looking toward the future.

Fun Fact: Toyin’s love for comic books and Japanese anime as a child still influences her intricate, textured art today.

Quote: "I'm interested in how history is remembered, how it's ignored, and how it's maintained."

Watch Alicia Keys and her husband discuss what they love most about Toyin Ojih Odutola's art:

Want to see more of Toyin’s captivating work? Follow her journey here: Toyin Ojih Odutola on Instagram.

2. Performance Art: Marina Abramović (Serbia)

Endurance and Connection Through Art

Marina Abramović is a Serbian performance artist known for her emotionally intense and physically challenging works. In 2024, she continues to push boundaries with her exhibition Healing Frequency at the Moco Museum in London, running from September 11, 2024, to March 11, 2025. This show invites visitors to participate in silent reflection, moving away from technology and toward personal healing. Marina’s interactive art connects deeply with people by focusing on endurance, vulnerability, and the shared human experience.

Why She Resonates with Women Rising Strong: Marina shows us that strength often comes through vulnerability. Her work invites us to confront our own challenges head-on, just as we encourage women to do in their personal growth journeys here at Women Rising Strong.

Fun Fact: Marina’s work has been influenced by Tibetan Buddhism, where she learned to connect endurance and meditation.

Quote: "The hardest thing is to do something which is close to nothing because it is demanding all of you."

Experience Marina’s groundbreaking silent performance at Glastonbury 2024, where she led the crowd in Seven Minutes of Collective Silence. It was a powerful moment of reflection amidst the usual festival buzz:

Want to follow Marina’s journey? Find more about her work here: https://x.com/ArtistisPresent.

3. Music: Anoushka Shankar (India/UK)

Bridging Tradition and Innovation

Anoushka Shankar, the internationally renowned sitar player, continues to build on her father Ravi Shankar’s legacy while forging her own unique path. In 2024, she released Chapter II: How Dark It Is Before Dawn, the second part of her trilogy of mini-albums. This album blends traditional Indian classical music with ambient and experimental sounds, showing how Anoushka is always innovating and finding new ways to share her deep emotional experiences through music.

You can listen to her latest album here. Personally, I love the emotional depth of "In The End," which begins with a subtle piano and sitar interaction that gradually builds, incorporating strings before tapering off to a single note. It beautifully embodies the theme of healing and peace that flows throughout the album. "New Dawn" also stands out for its energetic buildup and the way it represents the thematic shift from darkness to light.

Why She Resonates with Women Rising Strong: Anoushka’s ability to bridge tradition and innovation reminds us of the importance of honoring our past while still looking forward. Whether in music or life, she teaches us to blend what’s old with what’s new to create something truly unique.

Fun Fact: Anoushka was the first woman nominated in the World Music category of the Grammy Awards, and she’s been nominated six times in total.

Quote: "Music is an emotional experience, and that’s what matters to me: sharing that emotion."

Want to explore more of Anoushka’s music? Follow her here: https://www.instagram.com/anoushkashankarofficial/.

4. Literature: Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (Nigeria)

Voicing the Power of Storytelling

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is one of the most influential writers of our time. Her novels, like Americanah and Half of a Yellow Sun, explore issues of identity, migration, and feminism. In 2023, she published her first children’s book, Mama’s Sleeping Scarf, which was praised for its beautiful storytelling. In 2024, she continued to be a powerful voice for gender equality and social justice, engaging in meaningful conversations like the one she had with the World Bank Managing Director, Anna Bjerde, during the Fragility Forum. Chimamanda spoke about the challenges women face in power, highlighting how women themselves often resist other women in leadership positions.

Watch her inspiring conversation:

Why She Resonates with Women Rising Strong: Chimamanda’s stories highlight the power of one voice to create change. She reminds us that sharing personal stories can influence society and challenge cultural norms—just as we aim to do at Women Rising Strong.

Fun Fact: Chimamanda’s novel Half of a Yellow Sun was named "Best of the Best" by the Baileys Women’s Prize for Fiction in 2015, cementing her as a global literary icon.

Quote: "Culture does not make people. People make culture. So if it is in our culture to treat women poorly, we can and must change our culture."

Want to read more from Chimamanda? Follow her here: https://www.instagram.com/chimamanda_adichie/.

Why We Celebrate These Women

These four women—each from a different field in the arts—are more than just talented creators. They are pioneers who use their art to challenge the status quo and inspire us to think, feel, and connect more deeply. Their work isn’t just about beauty or expression; it’s about pushing boundaries and redefining what’s possible. Just like the mission of Women Rising Strong, their stories remind us that art can be a powerful force for change.

Let’s continue to celebrate women in the arts this September! Follow along as we explore more stories and works from incredible female artists throughout the month. Visit Women Rising Strong to stay updated on our latest features.

With love,
S.A. Sterling