Nikki Luna, 34

Artist and founder of Startartproject

Who are the women who inspire you?

Human rights defenders who choose to serve the masses. They make a stand, always courageously pushing boundaries for their cause, inspire me.

Kimay Jul Luna, who died at 21 years old, was a freedom fighter who traded her youth to live and fight for the peasant communities. She joined the People’s Army and took up arms. Kimay used her intellect to teach literacy in service of the people.

Another inspiration would be rural and domestic women workers. They too give their lives to serve others and accept their multiple roles in order to support their loved ones despite being trapped in sometimes appalling conditions.

And my all-time inspiration would be my mother Juliet Luna, author/activist Filipina Lualhati Bautista, and French writer and feminist Simone de Beauvoir.

Who, in your opinion, are female role models for today’s youth?

Marjane Satrapi, a novelist, illustrator, animated film director. She has used her talent for words and drawing skills to share her experiences during and after the Iranian revolution. Apart from the problem of her country and its government, she voiced out her struggles from the patriarchal culture in Iran.

Acclaimed Pakistani filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy, an artist who creates awareness by showing dehumanizing practices and unimaginable violence done to women in her country through her films.

And on a lighter note, in a fantasy/pop culture world, I would have to pick Hermione from . She is definitely not the stereotypical girl: strong, full of conviction, brilliant, principled and still sensitive to other’s needs. She also didn’t need to be the love interest of the hero to charm the audience at all. She crusaded against inequality and challenged the system in their wizard world.

What women’s issues are you tackling as an artist and as the founder of startartproject?

As an artist, when I create my pieces, installations, sculptures, painting, videos or conceptual work, it stems from the woman’s struggles.