Emerging Female Artists: A Fresh Take On 3 Art Genres

As we are a quarter of the way through the 21st century, it finally feels as though female artists are stepping into the limelight with some of the most exciting and emotionally intelligent work in decades. Women are developing their own visual language as we finally realise that only half the story has been told so far.

Here are some of the best contemporary female painters revitalising these three artistic genres today. 

Large scale abstracts in oil: Carla Raads

Carla grew up in South Africa and now lives in the UK. She has developed a unique and raw style of creating large scale oils by applying the paint with her hands. Her work captures the drama and emotional intensity of sunsets on the Eastern Cape, and the more subtle atmospheric beauty of northern English shorelines. 

Her direct and visceral take on light, atmosphere and place has already won the attention of several global collectors, and her work is currently exhibited at the Grand Hotel in Lytham St Annes. 

A new take on surrealism: Stefanie Heinze

Surrealism and abstraction have always been seen as the preserve of males, with some rare exceptions such as Leonora Carrington. Now, a generation of female artists are bringing a fresh, imaginative and sophisticated perspective to the genre. One of the most compelling new artists is Stefanie Heinze, who expertly combines the unsettling and whimsical. 

Figurative painting with a female gaze: Vannessa Van Maerhaeghe

The vast majority of portrayals of women in art have been interpreted through the male gaze, but now women are representing themselves on their own terms. One of the boldest contemporary figurative painters is Vannessa Van Maerhaeghe, who produces playful character-driven work that is influenced by her background as a fashion illustrator.