Celebrating Women in Art: Zari Gallery’s International Women’s Day Hall of Fame

Women have long played a vital role in shaping the art world, pushing boundaries, and redefining creative expression. This International Women’s Day, Zari Gallery celebrates the incredible female artists who inspire, challenge, and transform through their work.

From bold abstraction to intricate portraiture, these artists tell stories, spark conversations, and leave a lasting impact. This tribute honours their achievements, resilience, and contributions to the ever-evolving art world.

Victoria Achache

London-based painter and printmaker Victoria Achache explores abstraction and figuration, creating ethereal compositions rich in colour and texture. With decades of experience and exhibitions across the UK and Europe, Achache’s evolving craft inspires future generations of women artists.

Sophie Tea

Sophie Tea is a trailblazer in contemporary art. She uses vibrant paintings to champion female empowerment and body positivity. Rejecting conventional beauty standards, she embraces unfiltered representations of the female body. Through social media, she disrupts traditional art markets, making art more accessible and inclusive and inspiring women to embrace individuality and strength.

Evie Bulloch

At just twenty-two, Evie Bulloch is making an impact as a multidisciplinary artist in printmaking, animation, and drawing. A Kingston School of Art student, her work captures fleeting moments with emotion and depth. Her participation in Zari Gallery’s ‘Works for the Heart’ charity auction demonstrated her ability to create work with purpose, marking her as a rising talent in contemporary art.

: Victoria Achache, Land and Sea

: Sophie Tea, You Got This

: Evie Bulloch, Catching Light

Paula Herarty

Irish artist Paula Herarty brings emotion, movement, and contemporary themes to her work. Her participation in Zari Gallery’s ‘Synergy: The Global Art Influence’ exhibition showcased her ability to create impactful, thought-provoking pieces. Paula’s dedication to her craft makes her an inspiring figure in today’s creative landscape.

Shadi Mahsa

London-based Iranian artist Shadi Mahsa explores identity, emotion, and human experience. Her exhibitions, including Woman with a Thousand Faces and Chaos in Nature, showcase bold expressionism and personal narratives. A beacon for women in the creative world, Shadi encourages self-discovery and empowerment through her art, proving creativity has no limits.

Virginia Serafini

London-based artist Virginia Serafini challenges notions of luxury and identity. A graduate of Central Saint Martins, her award-winning piece Fur critiques fur’s role in fashion, provoking thought and dialogue. Her innovative approach inspires women to use creativity for social and cultural commentary.

: Paula Herarty, Friendship Love Language

: Shadi Mahsa, Cherry Tree

: Virginia Serafini, Fur

Flora Lu

Flora Lu, a London-based artist and printmaker, merges tradition with contemporary design. Studying at the University of the Arts London, her award-winning project for Chelsea Physic Garden showcases storytelling through visually striking compositions. Flora’s work celebrates creativity and resilience, inspiring women to embrace their artistic journeys.

Ioana Oancea

Romanian-born artist Ioana Oancea channels resilience and transformation into her work. Having lived through communist Romania, she uses mixed media to explore themes of rebirth and transcendence. Her pieces, such as Phoenix the Great Spirit, fuse art with healing, empowering women to redefine themselves and push beyond limitations.

Patricia Rullo

Patricia Rullo’s work explores identity and visibility. Her interactive piece A Tribute to My People, featured in the Zari Art Prize Exhibition, engages community participation, transforming a blue sphere into a 3D form symbolizing life with Multiple Sclerosis. Her art turns personal experience into shared dialogue, making her a powerful voice in contemporary female artistry.

: Flora Lu, Crossing Paths: Ducks at the Millennium Bridge

: Ioana Oancea, Starseeds

: Patricia Rullo, A Tribute to my People

Sophie Elsden

Fine Art graduate Sophie Elsden captures energy and emotion through abstract work inspired by cities and conversations. Influenced by Kandinsky, Miró, and Mondrian, her paintings evoke potent narratives. Her boundary-pushing approach makes her an exciting presence in contemporary art.

Corrie Barclay

Corrie Barclay explores the interconnectedness of life, drawing parallels between natural networks and technological evolution. Studying mycelium, brain neurons, and the internet, her work challenges our relationship with technology. Using the tortoise as a metaphor for wisdom and slow progress, Barclay encourages a balance between ancient knowledge and modern advancements.

Jo Dixon

Joanna (Jo) Dixon’s artistic journey reflects resilience and passion. Secretly applying to Hammersmith College of Art despite societal expectations, she balanced motherhood with her art career. Now a South West Academician and Member of the Society of Women Artists, her work, deeply rooted in drawing, serves as an inspiration to women balancing personal commitments with creativity.

: Sophie Elsden, Untitled

: Corrie Barclay, Outer Suburb

: Jo Dixon, The Backwaters of Kerala

Ellie Sibbald

Ellie Sibbald, a Fine Art graduate, draws inspiration from pearls, shells, and the ocean. Her art evokes an archaeological and mystical feel, inviting viewers to discover hidden treasures. Her participation in Zari Gallery’s exhibitions highlights her dedication to exploring nature’s intricate beauty through art.

Ella Brunt

Emerging artist Ella Brunt is finalizing her Fine Art (Hons) degree at Liverpool Hope University. Her participation in Zari Gallery exhibitions reflects her growing presence in the art scene. Exploring diverse mediums, she showcases passion and resilience in shaping the future of women in art.

Ellie Atkin

Ellie Atkin works across painting, drawing, and mixed media, refining her artistic voice. Her involvement in Zari Gallery exhibitions highlights her fresh perspectives and energy. With a keen eye for detail and a commitment to innovation, she is an artist to watch.

: Ellie Sibbald, Siren Blue

: Ella Brunt, The Summit

: Ellie Atkin, Every Stream is a Waterfall

Luisa Birrane

Luisa Birrane explores the tension between narrative binaries—good and evil, reality and fantasy, human and animal. Her ceramic sculptures, paintings, and drawings challenge viewers to engage with ambiguity. Inspired by storytelling traditions, her work empowers women to embrace their complex narratives, proving art is about emotions as much as visuals.

: Luisa Birrane, Untilted