The Belarusian Organization of Women Artists (BOWA) was founded by Irina Solomatina in 2021, following the successful book project “She Was: 16 Women Who Became Part of the History of Belarus” (2019). Solomatina is a practicing humanitarian, feminist, and the founder of the online gender platform “Gender Route.” Published through crowdfunding, the book exemplifies women collaborating toward a common goal. Sixteen Belarusian female artists contributed illustrations pro bono, using a colorful mixed-media language to depict historical moments from the 19th and 20th centuries. The project amplified their voices, leading to international curators offering collaborations for further career development and financial support. This project has helped participants understand the importance of collective action and sisterhood support in the development of their artistic careers.
Meeting points for female artists in Belarus with the public are limited, and their artistic research has not yet been recognized as a means to influence public opinion. There is a conservative agenda toward women in art practices.
BOWA seeks to empower female artists on the global art scene by providing opportunities such as artist residencies, exhibitions, and publications. The platform also aims to offer insights into the current landscape of artistic research within Belarus and actively disseminates information about the artists and their works through diverse communication and discourse channels, thereby making it accessible to a broader global audience.
Since 2022, BOWA offers guided tours to the art studios of Belarusian female artists, providing a unique opportunity to explore the Belarusian art landscape. These personal encounters with artists allow for discussions on artistic research and the exploration of a unique atmosphere not typically accessible to the public.
The tours are curated to enhance biographical information about Minsk-based artists, aiming to facilitate and enrich communication related to the development of Belarusian art within the broader global art community. These events create a comfortable and exclusive setting for understanding the life stories that influence Belarusian art, inseparable from the artists’ creative explorations.
