FIVE ARTISTS WHO INSPIRE EMMA WATSON AS A FEMINIST

MARY BETH EDELSON

“A true pioneer of feminist art and political activism, Mary Beth Edelson’s influence and impact on the art world has been huge. I love how accessible, playful and theatrical her work is, using cultural references – from film noir femme fatales to Da Vinci’s Last Supper – to challenge how women are portrayed in art and in the media.”

ELIZABETH CATLETT

“Elizabeth Catlett used her experience as an African-American woman growing up in the early 20th century to create art advocating for social change at a time when segregation was still a reality. Her linocuts beautifully convey powerful emotions, and I love the way her sculptures depict women with such warmth and strength. Her linocut series The

Black Woman ( 1946), (formerly The Negro Woman), celebrates inspirational African-American women like abolitionist Harriet Tubman and poet Phillis Wheatley, but also all the anonymous women struggling daily against racism and misogyny.”

FRIDA KAHLO

“Frida is a huge icon for so many people. Her famous quote: ‘We can endure much more than we think we can’, is one I think of very often as emblematic of women’s ability to survive. I would love to own one of her paintings one day, but the closest I’ll get to that life goal this year will be seeing the exhibition of her personal possessions that will go on display at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London from June.”

SHIRIN NESHAT

“I first came across Shirin Neshat when I read that her feature film, 2009’s Women Without Men, earned her the Silver Lion award for best director at the Venice Film Festival – it’s not often female-directed films win awards. I’m intrigued by Neshat’s explorations of gender and religion, the body and politics, control and rebellion. She works a lot with film as well as photography, and as an actor in films I’m always fascinated by the use of film in the art world.”

ZANELE MUHOLI

“Zanele Muholi is an incredible photographer and artist but describes herself as a ‘visual activist’, which I love and respect. She’s also co-founder of the Forum of Empowerment of Women, and also founded Inkanyiso, a platform for queer and visual activism. One of her projects has been developing an archive of portraits of South Africa’s black lesbian, queer and trans community for more than a decade, and some of her subjects have lost their lives in homophobic attacks.”

For Emma Watson’s full list of artists, go to Vogue.com.au.