Riot Girls
Skin, 2024
​70 x 80cm, Acrylic, pastel and ink on canvas
The biggest hit for Skin’s band Skunk Anansie was Weak, 1995, in which the singer speaks in response to the abuse and rape she endured from a long-term relationship when she was 16. She wasn’t aware of what she had experienced due to her age and naivety, and only came to a realisation years later.
Weak as I am, no tears for you
Deep as I am, I’m no one’s fool
Weak as I am
So what am I now? I’m love’s last hope
I’m all of the soft words I once owned
Skunk Anansie, Weak, 1995
Skin describes her band as “clit rock” – a combination of heavy metal and black feminist rage.
Kim, 2024
60 x 85cm, Acrylic, pastel and ink on canvas board
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Kim Deal has is one of the most influential and independent women in modern music. Spending most of the 90s in 3 rock bands, she is inspirational to young female musicians that they can break into a male dominated industry.
During her time in the Pixies, Deal credited herself with the name “Mrs, John Murphy” after her then-husband, as a feminist joke. She had heard she would be respected more by those around her.
Her iconic bass lines as well as the sound of her band The Breeders, influenced bands such as Sonic Youth and The Smashing Pumpkins, but were key inspirations for Nirvana's 'Nevermind' album.
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Dolores, 2024
​60 x 85cm, Acrylic, pastel and ink on canvas board
Contrary to the conservative values in Ireland, Dolores O'Riordan believed in equal rights for women and sexual freedom. She spoke out against sexual violence, drawing on her own experience of abuse as a child. Through the huge success of her band The Cranberries, she became the richest woman in Ireland.
This is the beginning of your day,
Life is always more intricate than it seems,
Always be yourself along the way,
Living through the spirit of your dreams.
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Beautiful girl,
Wont you be my inspiration?
Beautiful girl,
Don't you throw your love around.
Dolores, O'Riordan, Ordinary Day, 2007
Dolores spent many years fighting physical and mental illness, a fight she sadly lost in 2018.
Martha, 2024
​100 x 90cm, Acrylic, pastel and ink on canvas
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Martha Wash’s career dates back to the 70s, singing with Aretha Franklin and Grace Jones, as well as being a member of the Weather Girls. When disco turned to dance in the 90s, Wash was hired as a session singer however producers used her backing tracks as main vocals without giving her credit.
Iconic dance tracks such as Black Box’s Everybody Everybody, 1990, Ride on Time,1989, and C+C Music Factory’s Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now), 1990, used models to lip-sync to Wash’s vocals in both videos and live performances.
Wash wasn’t seen as having good public face or look despite her incredible voice. She didn’t fit the ideal beauty standards for a singer at that time.
Martha Wash sued the label in 1990 and settled receiving a substantial financial fee and received sleeve credits.
Gwen and Shirley, 2024
170 x 70cm, Acrylic, pastel and ink on Linen
In the 90s, No Doubt fronted by Gwen Stefani, and Garbage fronted by Shirley Manson, had the same record label. At the height of their careers, Garbage were told that they would have no more resources available to them. Manson later found out that it had been decided that there was only room for one female-fronted rock band, and they had decided to go with No Doubt. This led to the downfall of Garbage’s music career for many years.
Another example of a male dominated industry saying there is only room for one female voice. Silencing or limiting representation of women, particularly strong women who do not conform to societies standards.
Manson and Stefani remained good friends and in support of one another and collaborating together many times.​​
You pretend you're high
Pretend you're bored
Pretend you're anything
Just to be adored
And what you need
Is what you get
Garbage, Stupid Girl, 1995
Take this pink ribbon off my eyes
I'm exposed and it's no big surprise
Don't you think I know exactly where I stand?
This world is forcing me to hold your hand.
No Doubt, Just A Girl, 1995
Tobi, 2024
60 x 85cm, Acrylic, pastel on canvas board
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Tobi Vail was the drummer for the feminist punk band Bikini Kill. They brought inclusion and a female perspective to a violent male punk scene. The band created a “zine” which was handed out at their shows and was an important addition to their ideas and message. The zine had political content and often talked about violence against women.
We're not gonna prove nothing, nothing
Sittin' around, watching each other starve
What we need is action, strategy
I want, I want, I want
I want it now
What I want
Bikini kill, I like Fucking, 1998
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