International Women’s Day 2025 highlights female creativity and activism through exhibitions and events. Key showcases include ‘Gate of Horns’, ‘Women in Revolt!’, and ‘EmpowerHER’, celebrating women’s roles in art and society. The events champion female voices and contributions, shifting focus towards empowerment and excellence.
International Women’s Day serves as a reminder to celebrate women’s strength, beauty, and achievements rather than dwelling solely on the challenges they face. This year’s events focus on showcasing female creativity and defiance through a series of exhibitions and initiatives. Here is a curated list of significant upcoming exhibitions and events that embody the spirit of this celebration.
Gate of Horns
Location: Carl Freedman Gallery, Margate (until April 13)
Curator Hettie Judah presents a seven-woman show highlighting female defiance. Featuring artists like Ingrid Berthon-Moine and Emma Franks, the exhibition focuses on themes inspired by second-wave feminism’s goddess movement, showcasing works that challenge norms.
EmpowerHER ‘25: Creativity, Courage & Magical Thinking
Location: Casildart, London (March 14 – April 15)
This year marks the second edition of a Black-led gallery’s exhibition designed to amplify women’s voices in art. With 40 participating artists, including Precious Seronga, this event offers a more focused platform compared to last year’s broader presentation.
Women in Revolt! Art and Activism in the UK 1970-1990
Location: The Whitworth, Manchester (until June 1)
This major exhibition is a first for Tate, spotlighting British feminist art and addressing key themes of domestic labour and motherhood. Louisa Buck commented, “Forget Gaia Goddesses and spiritual woo-woo; here the emphasis is on harsh reality and everyday injustices.”
Bobby Baker, An Edible Family in a Mobile Home
Location: The Whitworth, Manchester (until April 20)
Bobby Baker reflects on motherhood and creativity in her immersive installation featuring a sweet-treat family. This final opportunity to see her renowned work sheds light on the challenges women face in the arts.
Resistance: How Protest Shaped Britain and Photography Shaped Protest
Location: Turner Contemporary, Margate (until June 1)
Curated by Steve McQueen, this exhibition covers 100 years of protest photography, capturing the essence of women’s activism throughout history, from suffrage movements to climate activism.
Women at War
Location: Liss Llewellyn, online
This online showcase features wartime art that highlights women’s contributions during conflicts, including works by Laura Knight and Evelyn Dunbar, with a focus on the roles they played.
Paule Vézelay, Living Lines
Location: Royal West of England Academy, Bristol (until April 27)
Celebrating the 20th-century abstractionist Paule Vézelay, this exhibition showcases her dynamic work, emphasising her diverse artistic endeavours and her fight for recognition.
Jyll Bradley: Running & Returning
Location: The Box, Plymouth (April 5 – November 2)
Jyll Bradley’s survey exhibition explores themes of identity and community through storytelling and rich visual experiences, featuring her acclaimed film documenting her search for her birth mother.
Independent Women 2025 – The Influence List
The latest edition of this impactful list celebrates women’s transformative roles across various sectors. Top figures include Gisèle Pelicot, Rachel Reeves, and Charli XCX, recognising their significant contributions to change.
Turning Paint into Advocacy: Art by Women in Prison
Location: The View Magazine, online
This initiative helps incarcerated women in England amplify their voices through art, promoting human rights and social change.
Women in Art Fair
Location: gallery@oxo, London (June 19 – 21)
This new art fair, dedicated to female-identifying artists, promises to elevate dialogue around gender disparities in the art world, featuring a jury comprised of notable figures in the arts.
By a Lady, Sotheby’s auction (Autumn)
In celebration of Jane Austen’s legacy, this upcoming auction will feature works by female authors and artists, aiming to highlight women’s contributions across disciplines over the past 250 years.
International Women’s Day provides a platform to recognise and celebrate women’s contributions in various fields. This year’s events encompass a diverse range of exhibitions and initiatives that highlight female creativity, activism, and achievements. By showcasing these exhibitions, the focus shifts from adversity to empowerment, illustrating the strength and spirit of women throughout history and today.
Original Source: theartnewspaper.com