As part of local celebrations for this year’s International Women’s Day on Monday (8 March) the WOM Collective is taking over Brixton Village Courtyard from this weekend (Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 March) to Monday 12 April.
The collective is dedicated to promoting female street artists and this event, WOM-INSPIRED, is a group exhibition which begins with a live mural painting.
The mural is at 10 Somerleyton Road, and the event is completely outdoors to comply with government regulations.
Today (Sunday 7 March) the mural will be in process from 12pm until the evening.
Six artists will be involved in the mural, but WOM-INSPIRED will include 30 artworks by 30 female artists. The main subject being what empowers them – for example an icon or personal experience.
National Museum of Women in the Arts recently reported that only 13.7% of living female artists have work in galleries in Europe and North America.
WOM is attempting to challenge the norms of the art world.
Women are notoriously absent from the street art scene, in particular, and there is an issue with finding long-term safe spaces to create.
WOM collective aims to offer support and more appropriate spaces, also to make art accessible by bringing it to the streets.
The live mural is a collaboration between WOM Collective founders Carleen de Sözer, Elno and Lours, alongside artists DMT, Layla Cope, and Van Jimmer.
Local artist Layla Andrews is set to add her large scale, expressionist and abstract style of portraiture to the event with her own mural painting.
You can purchase the art exhibited online at the WOM collective website, where 100% of the funds will go to the artists. Further details and an online view of the exhibition will also be available.
WOM collective began as a grass roots group of female London-based artists.
Through events and jams, such as this International Women’s Day event, they are able to unite and bring colour to the community.
One of the founders attempting to challenge norms is Carleen de Sözer.
“Street art has had a profound and transformational impact on many of us,” she says. “increasing our confidence, helping us build strong networks and new career pathways.
“We want to pay this forward and are excited to be working with Brixton Village for our second show in London.”
Brixton Market manager Diana Nabagereka said: “We are thrilled to have partnered with WOM Collective to celebrate International Women’s Day this year.
“It is an incredible initiative that we wanted to support and offer a platform to continue their work in South London.
“Seeing the exhibition come together with such empowering works by these talented artists, we look forward to seeing their live mural collaboration come to life on opening day.”
A final graffiti jam to close the festival will take place in Stockwell on Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 April, with an open call for any female artists to join.
More information to come on WOM Collective’s Instagram page.
