For this year’s International Women’s Day, we’re joining forces with 4 of our current favorite female illustrators: Beya Rebai, Abang, Maaike Canne & Lucy Macaroni. We approached them to create an exclusive illustration, in their own style, to reflect their experiences and their take on what it’s like to be a woman. We’re offering these unique illustrations as limited edition prints, available on our webstore. Only 50 were made of each.
All the revenue generated by the sales of these prints will be going to SEDT (Social Education for Development Trust), a non-profit organization that provides access to education, coaching and workshops for dalit girls and women in rural Tamil Nadhu, India. It’s important to note that € 50 is enough to provide education and tutoring for one girl during one school year. A big thank you to all artists involved for their incredible contributions.
Maaike Canne
(Rotterdam, The Netherlands)
Maaike Canne creates illustrations and large scale murals, usually known for their vibrant colors and well-structured compositions.
“So, I'd been wanting to do another Japanese bathhouse scene, but I never portray people, so it was a bit of a challenge to get this one done. I got there though! I like the idea of women feeling comfortable in their bodies whilst being naked and just the mundane of girls hanging out with each other while relaxing in a bathhouse.”
Abang
(Seoul, South-Korea)
Abang is a versatile artist that draws witty expressions of everyday life, with each illustration showing her desire and determination to be herself.
“I sometimes feel nervous for various reasons. I do not know if nervousness can disappear completely. But I believe that instead of running away, I should sharpen my feelings and use them to create. Even if your nerves push you to hide in a solitary place, you will come out of it and shine. It takes time to develop a confident mindset. Nervousness reappears and I believe that if you endure the hard times, it will make your eyes and heart serene and crystal. I always have this mindset. I thought that I would have a world of my own that was hard and beautiful no matter what anyone said. This illustration reflects these feelings, by contrast of a woman's confident face and freely blue sky.”
Beya Rebaï
(Paris, France)
Beya Rebaï spent several years in Brussels during her studies. She builds her drawings with a narrow and carefully selected range of colors, with the intent of telling a story.
“I love portraying women in pastoral, poetic landscapes, it’s something I strongly identify with. The link with nature and its contemplation is dominant in my work, I enjoy thinking of scenes in which the female character is elevated by her surroundings, almost becoming one, melting into it. An ode to contemplation and reflection. Afterwards, everyone can interpret the image in their own way.”
Lucy Macaroni
(Paris, France)
Lucy Macaroni is a free-lance illustrator and graphic designer that loves to express herself through whimsical and colorful drawings.
“This image was my way of representing women that are strong, powerful and – above all – solidary.”
About SEDT
You might be asking why we chose to work with SEDT, while there are bigger and better-known associations around that defend women’s rights. The reason is very simple. We chose SEDT because we have a personal connection with them. When our intern Susie told us about this Swiss-based non-profit organization, founded by her grandparents, we really didn’t have to look much further. Just like the people at SEDT, we firmly believe that education can be the key to change. Their project effectively touches and changes the lives of young girls coming from the poorest and most repressed Indian families. We strongly suggest you check out their website (www.sedt.ch) for more information.
Words
Bjorn Dossche
