International Women's Day 2017

First celebrated in 1911, International Women’s Day recognises women’s achievements and the continued struggle for equal rights. This year, for International Women's Day, the campaign theme is Be Bold For Change, asking everyone to help forge a better working world - a more inclusive, gender equal world. Here at Fred Aldous, we will be celebrating women working in the creative industries across the globe. Here are five women working in creative fields that we think deserve to be championed.

Marjane Satrapi 

Graphic Novelist, Illustrator, Director and Writer 

Born in Iran, Marjane used her experiences of growing up with the Iranian 1979 revolution taking place around her to produce the graphic novels, Persepolis and Persepolis 2. Marjane is described as being one of the world's most important Graphic Novelists, and her work has helped changed the way we in the west see everyday life in Iran.

Maria Balshaw has played a hugely important part in Manchester's 'cultural regeneration', leading both the Whitworth and Manchester City Gallery for the past six years. Described as a "one-woman powerhouse" she led the Whitworth through it's Capitol Transformation project earning it Art Fund's Museum of the Year prize in 2016.

Kara Walker
Contemporary Artist

Kara Walker is best known for her paper silhouette work which is often presented in large tableaux's which fill the walls of gallery rooms. Exploring race, sexuality, violence and identity, her work is often provocative and humorous when dealing with African American historical narratives.

Es Devlin

Stage Designer and Creative Director

Es Devlin describes her work as "kinetic sculptures meshed with light and film for opera, dance, film, theatre, runway shows and concerts". She has worked alongside some of the biggest names in pop music and fashion to produce outstanding stage design that creates an immersive experience between artist and audience. 

Yayoi Kusama

Visual Artist

Practising as an artist for around 70 years, Yayoi is firstly known for her repeat dot patterns which permeate her work and her clothing! Her work is not just all about dots, from immersive installations to paintings, sculptures, performance and film; Yayoi has been prolific in her use of media.