This art show features work from women of color, because they are a “force to be reckoned with”

We continually find artists online and IRL who seriously inspire us with their gorgeously unforgettable pieces. We especially love pieces that are beautiful but also conversation-starters and as a community for women, finding and sharing their work is deeply important. After all, women artists often struggle to fight against stereotypes and discrimination.

If you want to discover more creative women, “MissRepresentation” offers just that. Featuring work from artists like Amritha Berger, Danielle Gonzales, Starline Hodge, Nomi Chi, XIRENV, and many more, the show offers a look at some seriously talented women. Including amazing portraits, stunning illustration, and more, the show offers something for everyone interested in art.

Organized by Maritza Lugo — who we’ve featured on the site! — and Erika Paget, the show features around 40 different women of color artists. Opening this Saturday, December 10th at Junior High in Los Angeles, the exhibition came together because Lugo noticed the lack of platforms for WOC artists to share their work. In organizing the show, she noticed the resistance to host a completely WOC show. But she didn’t give up.

“A lot of the challenges that the show faced was that a lot of galleries were very bluntly not interested in a show that only displayed Women of Color art,” wrote Lugo in an email to HelloGiggles. “There’s a mixture of established artists and first timers in our show and honestly, the combo is amazing. It’s part of the show’s whole point: the show is for all women of color who might not feel like they have a place. In MissRepresentation, they do. The space is for them.”

In order to find these artists, Lugo and Paget turned to the internet but also IRL resources. What resulted is an awesome mix of artists with different styles and backgrounds.

"I reached out to artists that make a living off of making art & others who do it on the side," said Lugo. "It should go without saying that Erika, my curating partner and I, are so immensely proud of the work these artists have done. These women have poured their experiences, voices and hearts into their works and it really shows. So much of the art is so beautiful and as a Latina, it is really touching."

Lugo hopes that seeing this group of pieces can help encourage other artists but also make it clear that WOC artists ARE making work — even if we don’t always see it in major galleries or museums.

“More than anything, I hope WoC artists see themselves as a force to be reckoned with, especially in the art world,” says Lugo. “It’s so male dominated and white that if we have to break down the doors ourselves, then that’s just how it has to be. It’s like that quote from Kimmy Schmidt: females are strong as hell.”

“MissRepresensation” is on view until Dec 11th at Junior High.