Women Groundbreakers
Fine Art meets Female Biography.
The Paintings
33 portraits painted in oil on silk, stretched over shaped frames
About The Project
Whether inventors or idealists, scientists or humanists, artists or thinkers, history has always given the spotlight to men and their world-changing achievements.
But, while their works and discoveries are to be celebrated, this meant that, like so many women, I grew up without female role models.
I only realised this when I was in my early thirties and browsing a book of Great Inventors And Their Inventions. I noticed that, of the thirty inventions described in the book, only two were created by women.
This led me to ask myself: where are all the women? This question took me on a journey of discovery. I read about the Hollywood actress, Hedy Lamarr, and her second life as an inventor. I discovered Tu Youyou and her malaria treatment that saves millions of lives every year. The more I read, the more I found - a stream of women who changed their field and impacted our lives in ways we never realise.
As a portrait painter, I knew that I had to paint these extraordinary women. This was the beginning of Women Groundbreakers, the painting series. I painted 33 portraits - one new role model for every year of my life. I unveiled the series in my home city (Vienna) with a special event for International Women’s Day, with talks and performances by talented women living in Vienna.
But painting wasn’t enough; I knew I also had to tell their stories. This sparked the idea for a book: the first ever book to combine female biographies with fine art.
I'm now finalising the book and gearing up for a crowdfunding campaign. My goal is to raise enough funds for an initial print run and get the book into the hands of art lovers around the world!
For exclusive updates about the campaign, how to get involved, timelines, and other FAQs, sign up to the newsletter below:
Whether inventors or idealists, scientists or humanists, artists or thinkers, history has always given the spotlight to men and their world-changing achievements.
But, while their works and discoveries are to be celebrated, this meant that, like so many women, I grew up without female role models.
I only realised this when I was in my early thirties and browsing a book of Great Inventors And Their Inventions. I noticed that, of the thirty inventions described in the book, only two were created by women.
This led me to ask myself: where are all the women? This question took me on a journey of discovery. I read about the Hollywood actress, Hedy Lamarr, and her second life as an inventor. I discovered Tu Youyou and her malaria treatment that saves millions of lives every year. The more I read, the more I found - a stream of women who changed their field and impacted our lives in ways we never realise.
As a portrait painter, I knew that I had to paint these extraordinary women. This was the beginning of Women Groundbreakers, the painting series. I painted 33 portraits - one new role model for every year of my life. I unveiled the series in my home city (Vienna) with a special event for International Women’s Day, with talks and performances by talented women living in Vienna.
But painting wasn’t enough; I knew I also had to tell their stories. This sparked the idea for a book: the first ever book to combine female biographies with fine art.
I'm now finalising the book and gearing up for a crowdfunding campaign. My goal is to raise enough funds for an initial print run and get the book into the hands of art lovers around the world!
For exclusive updates about the campaign, how to get involved, timelines, and other FAQs, sign up to the newsletter below:
