By Maria Jose Govea

3 Rising Female Artists Who Should Be On Your Radar in 2019

Three women, three disciplines, three interpretations of why art matters in today’s world. We caught up with a few of the female artists we’re keeping an eye on in 2019, and asked them to give us a glimpse into their genius. Here, they share what their work is saying, how they’re saying it and where you can follow along to hear and see them translate their artistic vision through various mediums.

KALEY FLOWERS

Location: Toronto
Instagram Handle: @kaleyflowers
Medium: Ceramics

When did you start calling yourself an artist?
I can’t exactly remember when — I was always keen on drawing and crafting since I was very young. I didn’t consider myself a professional artist until after I graduated from OCAD in 2015.

What do people think your art is trying to say?
People often tell me that my work makes them happy — that it is fun, thoughtful, and a unique approach to ceramics.

What are you trying to say with your art?
My art is all about reinterpreting the craft of ceramics, which is so deeply rooted in rich, diverse traditions. My interest in digital culture however, has led me to use clay as a material to solidify the ephemeral, fleeting nature of technology into tangible objects.

How do you see the world differently than others?
I try to be mindful and positive, but also be aware and critical of the complexities of everything. I think that too many people exist within a bubble, and that to gain insight into the world that it’s important to escape that personal bubble from time to time.

Why does art matter?
Art is a reflection of our humanity and culture at any given time. Acting as this mirror of society—art provides insights into our past and enlightens the future.

MARIA JOSE GOVEA

Location: Los Angeles
Instagram Handle: @thesupermaniak
Medium: Photography

When did you start calling yourself an artist?
The kind of work I do is certainly on the artistic spectrum of photography, but I’ve always been more comfortable calling myself a photographer. It’s more practical.

What are you trying to say with your art?
I try to capture raw energy and beauty in motion.

How do you see the world differently than others?
We all see the world differently. I just figured out how to use my camera to show my point of view and what I think is pretty, powerful, honest, important.

 Why does art matter?
Because it’s an incredible tool to express our human condition.

QUINN ROCKLIFF

Location: Toronto
Instagram Handle: @quinnrockliff
Medium: Interdisciplinary

When did you start calling yourself an artist?
Calling yourself an artist is like promising yourself to keep creating long term, so making it part of my identity was an important moment of deciding to use my artistic practice and experiences to unpack both my personal traumas and my reflections on women’s issues in society.

What do people think your art is trying to say?
Most people still equate nudity with sexuality, but in a time where images are shared so freely, and often without consent or context, I’m trying to get people to think critically about the link between those two things.

What are you trying to say with your art?
The nudity portrayed in my work is not only about sexuality, it’s about owning your own image, consent, and controlling how it is shared and viewed by others.

How do you see the world differently than others?
I’m not sure I do, I just found a way to work through it, put it on paper, and give it back to the world in a way that makes sense to me.

Why does art matter?
No doubt, as an artist I want to work with beauty, but I also hope that my work sparks conversation and reflection.

More Celebrity