Google “Is Banksy a woman?” if you want to do a deep dive into the sexist assumptions our cultures make about graffiti artists. I mean, anything’s possible, right? There are a lot of theories about who “he” is, and a lot of descriptions of what we imagine him to be, which is basically a “scruffy white dude.” But with all the hype and attention on Banksy’s work, who would better fly under our misogynistic, myopic radar than a woman? Ridiculous, Reddit assures me.
The reality is that women in graffiti often go unrecognized, and that’s what groups like the London-based WOM Collective are out to change. Its founders Elno, Carleen De Sözer, Raquel Natalicchio, and Lours are all talented artists who are bringing their vibrant talents to London’s communities and encouraging women to make their presence known in the graffiti space. WOM hosts graffiti jams in “unloved, urban spaces” and art events all over London and online. They’re steadily covering London’s bricks in vibrant color and divine imagery and raising the vibrations of one of the world’s heaviest cities. Check out their stunning graffiti and mural work below…
We are storytellers and facilitators who bring art out of the galleries and into the streets. Enlivening and activating unloved, urban spaces with colour and soul. Through creative expression we create opportunities for meaningful human connection, joy and positivity.
WOM Collective
Street art has had a profound and transformational impact on many of us, increasing our confidence, helping us build strong networks and new career pathways. We want to pay this forward.
This collective is dedicated to empowering HER-story by providing a platform for graffiti jams, exhibitions, workshops and art events that give back to female artists, local communities and charities.
