Art, vision, and change: how women and girls are creating a brighter tomorrow on Day of the Girl Child
October 11 marks the International Day of the Girl Child, a day dedicated to highlighting the challenges girls face and championing their rights and empowerment. The 2024 theme, “Girls’ vision for the future,” underscores the urgent need for action, driven by the powerful voices of girls who are actively shaping a more hopeful world. Today’s generation of girls are not only disproportionately affected by global crises like climate change, conflict, and poverty but are also courageously stepping forward as leaders, innovators, and change-makers.
To honor their vision and the collective call for a future where every girl can thrive, we’ve selected five features that celebrate the concepts, learnings, and experiences of women artists and female ideas in our culture.
Challenging norms: the evolution of pink and blue as gender markers
Archival pigment print, 20 × 30 in (50.8 × 76.2 cm).
Across the Universe, 2015.
Courtesy of the artist.
From toys to clothing, the colors pink and blue have been deeply entrenched in gender norms, but the current associations of pink for girls and blue for boys are relatively new. This feature dives into the history of these color norms, showing how societal trends can reshape perceptions of identity and challenge the notion of ‘innate’ preferences in arbitrary fashions.
Read about the history of pink and blue
Cultural collisions: Maliza Kiasuwa’s art and the clash of tradition and modernity
Intersection 1, 2023.
40 × 27.5 in. Paper and thread.
Courtesy of the artist and Morton Fine Art.
Traveling and living between Africa and Europe, Kiasuwa’s work is deeply inspired by locally available materials that carry cultural significance. Her mixed media pieces feature talismanic qualities of everyday objects, blending globalization with traditional object-based animism and showcasing the often stark contrasts between natural beauty and human intervention.
Read the interview with Maliza Kiasuwa
Motherhood and mysticism: Maïmouna Guerresi’s photographic narrative
Surprise, 2010.
Lambda print, 87 × 49 in.
Courtesy of Stux Gallery, New York.
An Italian-born artist who converted to Islam and joined the Murid Muslim community in Senegal, Guerresi’s work reflects her journey into cultural diversity, Islamic spirituality, and the deep-rooted connections between mother and child. Her photography explores themes of mysticism and the fluidity of identity, presenting a unique perspective on the intersections of tradition and modernity.
See Maïmouna Guerresi’s photography
Breaking boundaries: Mary Cassatt and the elevation of women’s experiences in art
Mother and Child with a Rose Scarf, c. 1908.
Oil on canvas, 46 × 35 3/4 in (116.8 × 89.5 cm).
Bequest of Miss Adelaide Milton de Groot (1876–1967), 1967.
Known for her groundbreaking focus on mothers and children, Mary Cassatt challenged the notion that domestic life was unworthy of fine art. As a prominent figure in the Impressionist movement, her work elevated the everyday experiences of women, asserting their significance in the world of art. Cassatt’s legacy continues to influence and inspire, validating the power of women’s perspectives.
Memories in motion: Nell Slaughter’s collages of childhood and urban life
Untitled (Sewing Machine), 2024.
Paper collage. 9 3/4 × 7 3/4 in.
Photo courtesy of Nell Jocelyn Slaughter.
Inspired by New York City storefronts and childhood memories, Nell Slaughter’s collage work combines meticulous planning with a touch of spontaneity. Using analog techniques and a vast collection of pre-cut paper, her art captures the dynamic energy of everyday life, reflecting both her personal story and a shared vision of urban landscapes.
