By Shirley-Ann O’Neill
International Women’s Day offers a chance to honour the contributions of contemporary female visual artists across the globe, particularly given that the art world remains predominantly male and white.
Creating a more gender-inclusive art scene starts with recognising the talented women whose work is already engaging and inspiring their communities – and, in some cases, the global art world – through stunning and thought-provoking pieces. To celebrate International Women’s Day, we’ve selected four of our favourite female VAA artists worldwide, of varying ages, to share their inspirations and thoughts on the theme #AcceleratedAction. (Feeling inspired? Consider following them on social media!)
Sofía Ruiz
Born in Costa Rica, Sofia’s work has been gaining momentum internationally. In 2024, Sofia was the recipient of the Visual Art Open Prize 2024, and also the overseas winner at the Women’s Emerging Art Award 2024, in London.
“Every challenge has pushed me to be more determined and clearer in my voice.”
VAA: Can you share your artistic journey and what inspired you to become an artist?
Sofia: “I explored different careers, including chemical engineering, but while I was painting, I realised art was my true passion. People told me it would be a difficult path, and they were right, but I wouldn’t change it for anything. Art has helped me to understand and heal myself and given me a deeper connection to the world. My inspiration comes from childhood when my mother suffered from temporary amnesia. I often felt like a stranger in my own family, and that feeling of isolation and lost identity shaped the way I see the world. Through art, I try to process those emotions and turn them into something meaningful.”
VAA: How does the theme #AccelerateAction resonate with your work or personal philosophy?
Sofia: “To me, #AccelerateAction means moving forward, even when things seem impossible. I grew up in a society where women were expected to carry way more responsibilities than men. And from a very young age, I was given duties and expectations that my brothers never had to face. My childhood felt like it was slipping away, much like memories do, and that loss shaped my work. My paintings capture moments on the edge of disappearing, exploring how memories can be fluid or fixed. But those challenges have made me who I am, and they have fuelled my determination to keep creating, no matter what others think. Art has the power to challenge old ideas and push for change, and that’s what I strive for in my work.”
VAA: What challenges have you faced as a female artist, and how have you overcome them?
Sofia: “As a Latin female artist, I’ve often felt unseen, unsupported, or judged. The art world still favours traditional, male-driven narratives, but instead of letting that hold me back, I use it as fuel. Every challenge has pushed me to be more determined and clearer in my voice. I’ve learned that persistence is key, and no matter the obstacles, I will keep creating.”
VAA: What message would you like to share with the world on International Women’s Day?
Sofia: “Your story matters. Even when memories fade or feel too painful to hold onto, they shape who you are. Use them to create, to speak, to take action. Every woman deserves to be seen and heard. Change takes time, but with determination, we can build a world where every woman is valued and celebrated. Keep going, keep pushing, and never stop believing in your own voice.”
Adwoa Botchey (Adeche Atelier)
Adowa is one-half of the creative power couple, Adeche Atelier, whose inspiring work on African mythology, folklore and culture has been celebrated online at the National Gallery. They have over 294K followers on Instagram.
“To all women – your voice, your creativity, and your dreams are powerful.”
VAA: Can you share your artistic journey and what inspired you to become an artist?
Adwoa: “Art has always been my way of telling stories and preserving culture. I was drawn to African mythology and folklore because it is often overlooked. Through Adeche Atelier, my partner and I bring these stories to life, ensuring they are not forgotten. My artistic journey has been about bridging the past and present, creating work that sparks curiosity, educates, and connects people to their roots. Art is my way of keeping these traditions alive and ensuring they inspire future generations.”
VAA: How does the theme #AccelerateAction resonate with your work or personal philosophy?
Adowa: “#AccelerateAction reflects my belief that art is a tool for change. My work amplifies African mythology, ensuring these stories are represented in mainstream conversations. Action means pushing boundaries, breaking stereotypes, and making African culture more visible in the global art space. Through painting, storytelling, and digital content, I challenge outdated narratives and celebrate heritage. My art encourages people to reconnect with history, find pride in their identity, and recognise the richness of African traditions.”
VAA: What challenges have you faced as a female artist, and how have you overcome them?
Adowa: “Being a female artist comes with challenges, from underrepresentation to self-doubt. Additionally, creating art rooted in African mythology and culture means constantly advocating for its significance. I’ve faced moments of imposter syndrome but persistence, support from my partner and co-artist and confidence in my vision keep me going. I’ve learned that resilience, consistency, and staying true to my purpose are key to overcoming barriers and carving out my space.”
VAA: What message would you like to share with the world on International Women’s Day?
Adowa: “To all women – your voice, your creativity, and your dreams are powerful. Take up space, tell your stories, and never dim your light to fit expectations. Lift others as you grow, and don’t be afraid to challenge the status quo. Keep creating and remember that you are shaping the future. Your journey, no matter how challenging, is valid, important, and worth celebrating.”
Helga Stentzel
Helga Stentzel is a London-based multidisciplinary artist whose innovative work spans photography, sculpture, and mural design. Named a Hasselblad Heroine in 2023, Helga is celebrated for her ability to transform the ordinary into the extraordinary, with solo shows in Seoul, exhibitions at the Royal Academy in London, and appearances at art fairs across the US and Canada.
“I believe in lifting each other up – creating spaces where women can thrive without having to choose between their passions and their responsibilities.”
VAA: Can you share your artistic journey and what inspired you to become an artist?
Helga: “My artistic journey has been anything but linear – it’s been a mix of curiosity, discovery, and a deep need to create something meaningful out of the everyday. I didn’t set out to become an artist in the traditional sense, but I’ve always had an eye for reimagining the ordinary, which eventually led me here.
The spark came in 2020, during the pandemic, when I noticed my son’s trousers hanging on the clothesline, resembling a horse’s head. That small moment of serendipity became Peg-asus, the first piece in my Clothesline Animals series. What started as a playful experiment soon turned into a body of work that resonated with people globally. I realised that art didn’t have to be confined to traditional materials – it could be made from the fabric of daily life, quite literally.
My journey has been shaped by the joy of discovery – of finding faces in laundry, of seeing personality in fabric, and of turning something as mundane as drying clothes into a source of wonder. More than anything, I want my work to spark that same sense of joy and recognition in others.”
VAA: How does the theme #AccelerateAction resonate with your work or personal philosophy?
Helga: “The theme #AccelerateAction resonates deeply with my philosophy as an artist. My work is about transforming the ordinary into something extraordinary, sparking new ways of seeing and thinking. Acceleration, for me, is not about speed—it’s about momentum, about pushing creative boundaries while staying true to meaningful storytelling. It is a call to move forward with purpose – to innovate, to connect, and to create work that brings both joy and clarity to a world that often feels chaotic.”
VAA: What challenges have you faced as a female artist, and how have you overcome them?
Helga: “As an artist, one of my biggest challenges is balancing family life with the demands of my work, especially in a world where women are often expected to work as if they don’t have children and parent as if they don’t work. My career requires a lot of travel, which adds another layer of complexity, but I’m incredibly fortunate to have a supportive husband who steps in when I’m away. His understanding and involvement make it possible for me to fully dedicate myself to my art while knowing that things at home are in good hands. Still, no matter how well things are managed, the mother’s guilt is always there!”
VAA: What message would you like to share with the world on International Women’s Day?
Helga: “To all the women juggling multiple roles: your efforts are seen, and they matter. Whether you’re making art, raising a family, leading a business, or simply trying to carve out space for yourself, know that your presence and contributions shape the world in ways both big and small. I’m fortunate to have a supportive partner who helps me pursue my artistic path, but I know that not everyone has that privilege. That’s why I believe in lifting each other up – creating spaces where women can thrive without having to choose between their passions and their responsibilities. Let’s continue to challenge outdated expectations, celebrate our successes (big and small), and push for a world where women’s work – whether at home, in studios, or in boardrooms – is truly valued.”
Judy Sale
US-born Judy is an artist in her 70s, having lived and created work in eight different countries in her lifetime. This has profoundly shaped her artistic style and outlook on longevity as an artist.
“If you are lucky enough to be a strong woman, BE PROUD, BE CREATIVE, BE COURAGEOUS.”
VAA: Can you share your artistic journey and what inspired you to become an artist?
Judy: “Each move in the eight countries has posed challenges to my creative process, yet it has also expanded my perspective and vision. I enjoy incorporating ‘flotsam’ from these various nations into my artwork, allowing a single piece to spring from a found object reimagined for a fresh purpose. Traditional subject matter and representation don’t captivate me; rather, I am intrigued by the shapes, colours, lines, and textures of people, places, and things – they linger in my mind long after I return to my studio.
During the restoration of an old monastery in Cyprus, which we transformed into an international art centre, my former husband and I hosted students from the unique three-year Master’s program in Wall Painting Conservation at the Courtauld Institute in London. The monastery grounds housed a small church with significant wall paintings that needed restoration, and we were fortunate to be selected as a field project for their coursework. As a charity with limited funding, my tasks were exceptionally varied; I became something of a jack of all trades, assisting the students with everything from sourcing materials and arranging housing and transport to bandaging cut fingers and addressing emotional concerns – essentially helping with any request. These seven or eight mature students, hailing from across the globe, advanced my learning in ways they might not even realise.
While they meticulously restored the church walls, carefully cleaning intricate details with tiny cotton buds, I set up a makeshift studio nearby, utilising various implements to produce my large abstract canvases inspired by the builders’ debris collected during the monastery’s restoration. Detail had always evaded me; I preferred to focus on expansive spaces within a composition, allowing finer elements to emerge organically – or not. Watching their careful process fuelled my creativity, enriching my artistic journey. It is often that last spontaneous detail that resolves the entire work. I have never forgotten that lesson.”
VAA: How does the theme #AccelerateAction resonate with your work or personal philosophy?
Judy: “This year’s theme #AccelerateAction resonates profoundly with my personal philosophy and hence my artwork. As I am in my 70’s, I realise more than ever that the clock is ticking. I have always welcomed change and new ways of living, doing and thinking but now I sometimes feel challenged by just how rapidly technology is changing the entire world. Art follows life and vice versa so to be relevant and meaningful, it is important for any artist to stay open to new possibilities and act on them immediately. I have no intention of being left behind; I look at others’ art and creativity every day, taking on board what I can learn. Creativity is the only positive hope for the future, never more so than in various disciplines of the arts, collectively as well as individually.”
VAA: What challenges have you faced as a female artist, and how have you overcome them?
Judy: “As a proud feminist, I have encountered my share of exploitation in my lifetime as an artist and also as a woman. I will never forget the time some years ago when an acclaimed West End London gallery owner asked if I would be willing to paint under a man’s name. He liked my work but felt it would sell better and for more under a man’s name. I still get my work mistaken for that of a man. It’s because it is big, bold and powerful so I am told. This is insulting to any woman, the assumption being that women are, once again, only capable of small and less assuming work.
This is why I don’t like being identified specifically as a ‘woman artist’ instead of an artist full stop! We don’t speak about a man being a ‘man artist.’ I feel quite confident that the best art is not down to gender, and history is slowly admitting that. Women have made quite an advancement in their status over the years, but we are still living in a man’s world; which recently seems to be turning inward to ‘straight white men only’ again. This worries me.”
VAA: What message would you like to share with the world on International Women’s Day?
Judy: “If you are lucky enough to be a strong woman, BE PROUD, BE CREATIVE, BE COURAGEOUS. I believe that the day may come when we might even see a ‘woman’s world’ which is more inclusive and unbiased. We have no idea what that would look like, but we need to progress away from the fear-driven, overly competitive, violent, mistrustful and greedy elements of the world we all live in today. I believe we artists should show the way by first painting for ourselves, not for others. There is hope for a better, fairer world but if artists don’t dare to be creative and receptive to new ideas, who will?”