Selections from An Exhibition of Art by Women
December 30, 2020 – March 2, 2021
“HerStory” 2020-2021 presented art by 90 extraordinary women artists who express their unique creative visions with skill and originality. They have mastered their chosen styles and mediums. Their art has an immediate and lasting impact and transforms us in a visceral and/or thought-provoking manner. The final selections were based on the art and statements they submitted and visits to their websites to view their overall body of work and resumes. Because we received entries by very talented artists the selection process was extremely challenging.
The purpose of the annual “HerStory” online exhibition is to provide international exposure for outstanding yet under-recognized women artists. We will continue presenting “HerStory” exhibitions until there is a fair and equal balance of women artists represented by art museums, galleries, art book publishers, major private and public collections, auction houses, and the media.
Curating exhibitions of art by women has been an important priority of mine. Prior to establishing the Manhattan Arts International website in 2000 I organized many women’s art exhibitions in galleries and public spaces in NYC, NY.
This page features a few of the artists from the “HerStory” 2020-2021 Exhibition.
To read more about the exhibition and view a list of all exhibiting artists visit this page.
To watch a video of more artwork from “HerStory” visit our Youtube channel.
All rights reserved. Do not reproduce any images without the artist’s permission.
Biruta Akerbergs Hansen
Tree, More Valuable than Gold, a mural in Bass Pro, Toledo, Ohio, 20 feet x 40 feet.
By painting the natural world at a large scale I wish to draw the viewer into a deeper state of peaceful contemplation, transporting him or her from present preoccupations to a calming and ultimately healing frame of mind. I research local environments and history to be better able to engage the audience, although sometimes I introduce unexpected features that are nevertheless compelling to the viewer. My background in both science and art have often overlapped, one informing the other. sitespecificmurals.com
Biruta received a Manhattan Arts International Outstanding Women Artist Achievement Award.
Read the interview with her.
Christina Michalopoulou
Cocoon, oil on canvas, 27.5″ x 39.4″
My focus is the emotional and the affective as emerging in human bodies and faces. I am interested in desire, love, obsession, sadness and elation, claustrophobia and liberation, hells and heavens. I love tracing the way the body recoils or spreads when touched, the way it flourishes or hides away when looked at. The dialectic between body and space is the overarching bridge of my work. Space and body embrace each other in cartoonism or quotidian tragedy, concreteness or abstraction. christinamichalopoulou.com
Christina received a Manhattan Arts International Outstanding Women Artist Achievement Award.
Read the interview with her.
Carol Hanna
Rose Breasted Grosbeak’s Song, acrylic and resin on canvas, 24″ x 36″ x 2″
Songs of the Birds: I have endeavored to interpret the songs of birds using a visual language that represents the color of the birds and the notes of their songs. Rhythms, pitch, softness or loudness of voice are represented by the color patterns. The airbrush picks up the shimmering, vibrating color. Each bird is researched individually for color, sonogram, and flight path. It is sharing and feeling the transcendental beauty and awareness of nature’s song called synesthesia. carolhanna.com
Carol received a Manhattan Arts International Outstanding Women Artist Achievement Award. Read the interview with her.
Agnes Jorgensen
Sisterhood, oil on canvas, 20″ x 24″
I love to paint women. My artistic vision is to display through my artwork the affection and loyalty that women feel for one another who have a common bond. A Sisterhood. It is the loving and accepting of someone, where they are in their life’s journey, and inspiring them to their highest potential. There are two sides of me as an artist, to represent women through realism and impressionism, in order to communicate my message. jorgensenart.com
Barbara Brown
Dance of the Seven Veils, oil on canvas, 20″ x 24″
I’ve been a follower of the divine feminine since I was a very young woman. And She is Nature. She is wild mother Earth: The Wild. The Mother. The Earth. Millenia ago, matriarchal culture and spirituality was suppressed; women –and Nature– became devalued and patriarchy took power. With my work, I celebrate the beauty and the wonder of Nature –of the Forest. Let us hold Her in reverence once again, thereby bringing balance and wellbeing to ourselves and Earth. BarbaraBrownArt.com
Always beautiful but the depth and variety is so incredible. Beautiful curation.
Beautiful art, beautiful woman and beautiful director! It is especially important in 2021 that woman take pride in their sex, own their talents and express their views. A wonderful diversification of artwork Renee.🤗
Dear Renee~I am so thrilled and honored to be included in the Herstory Exhibition. Such stunning and beautiful work here! And a pleasure to explore the worlds of other women artists. Thank you so much for your hard work in supporting women artists and for putting this wonderful show together.
The HerStory exhibition is really excellent and I believe represents a cross section of outstanding women artists throughout the world—–Bravo!!!!!!
Hi Renee, Sorry for my late letter but I was on holiday with all the family at the coast.
I was so thrilled and excited for an artwork to be chosen for ‘Her Story’ exhibition. I was also so happy with your choice because ‘Babatha’s Cache’ is one of my very favourites! Most of the work are really excellent artworks and will make contact with a few of these artists as well. I felt so honoured having a part in your remarkable organisation and will for sure take part again!
Thank you for all your hard work and creative endeavours for us as artists. You are such a great leader to follow!
Love and blessings
Esther Simonis
Thank you Esther for submitting your art to “HerStory” and your kind words. Best wishes to you for a joyful and healthy 2021!
Beautiful exhibit!
So much talent. So many styles.
Totally enjoyed viewing and will return often.
I am truly thrilled and honored to be included in this exhibition. Such a beautiful show! My heart felt thanks to you, Renee!
I am honored to be part of this exhibition alongside so many outstanding artists.
I love the power, wisdom, sensibility, and intuition of women. Renee, your are a champion, your work is absolutely exquisite.
Hi Debora, Thank you for entering your art in “HerStory” and your words of encouragement. All the best to you in 2021.
I’m honoured my bronze Elf “Dhin Vaen” on her grashopper has been selected for this amazing international exhibition for women. Warm greetings from the Heart and thank you, Renée Phillips!
That is ONE MAGNIFICENT SCULPTURE. Love it. Amazing work.
What a beautiful exhibit this is! The diversity of the work, women and inspiration is well worth spending more time to explore in detail. I plan to return many times and share the site with others. Thank you for your thoughtful presentation.
Renee, thank you so much for selecting “King of the World” for “Her Story” exhibition. What a beautiful show you put together. You are a true champion of women in the arts and I thank you for your countless hours of helping women get recognized for their artistic endeavors. I am truly grateful for all you do 🙂 Wishing you the happiest new year and many blessings in 2021!
Oh what a heartwarming exhibition Renee! The artists statements adds even more depth to their work. It is a thrill to be among such gifted women…thank you warmly.
What a show! I am speechless. I feel honored that I once again made it into my all time favorite exhibit. I have a confession here about the art by Anastasia R. Simes “Coronation”. Everything about that painting makes my heart sing. The Colors, the Composition, the Style and the Story. I remember seeing it on a fb post a while ago and I was mesmerized by it back then. I am not ashamed to say that it has brought me to tears. Beautiful work! I also am appreciating the work and the story by Nicolette Maguire Bonnstetter “I Will Love Her Forever”. So many outstanding artists I don’t know how you did it Renee. Thank you so much for bringing us this magnificent show.
This is an outstanding show, Renee! What a pleasure to view the work and read the statements. Thank you for all of your hard work and for continuing to gain ground on your mission of equality in the arts. I am honored to be among these incredible women.
Had a fantastic time looking at the art chosen for Her Story.
I’ve just had a glance at the online exhibit and am blown away by the quality and imagination of the artists. I’m humbled and honored to be one of the participants. I will surely return to delve into many of the stories. Thank you Renee for the thoughtfulness and work you have put into this exhibit.