New York is the world’s capital of street art. From simple tags on subway cars to elaborate wall-sized murals, almost every corner of the city reflects the creativity of the people who live in it. It is a real artist magnet: for example, Banksy, arguably the most famous street artist in the world, keeps coming back to NYC time after time. Not only is the street art scene here filled with talented artists, but it is also incredibly diverse, with each artist bringing some part of their background into their art. Today, you will learn more about three female street art artists whose work you can find in the streets of New York.
Works by three female street art artists to see in NYC right now
Lady Aiko
A true legend of street art, Lady Aiko (Aiko Nakagawa) references her Japanese heritage in her works. She has been a prominent figure in the New York art scene since the 90s when she became an apprentice of Takashi Murakami in his studio in Brooklyn. Lady Aiko’s work is inspired by traditional Japanese aesthetics and contemporary popular culture, such as anime and manga. She often includes the motifs of butterflies and flowers in her works to represent feminine energy. Lady Aiko has collaborated with countless influential street artists and even designed for Louis Vuitton.
Riiisa Boogie
Riiisa Boogie (Risa Tochigi) is another Japanese-American street artist whose work adorns the streets of NYC. She is part of the artistic duo boogieREZ. Boogie is a multi-disciplinary artist who works in textiles, painting, and other mediums apart from street art. Her pieces are always full of power and color, bringing a playful vibe to the plain walls and fences of the city. The artist expresses her creative energy through her unique, vibrant characters and inspires the audience to live their dreams and be themselves.
Yasmin Hernandez
Yasmín Hernández was born and raised in Brooklyn but is currently based in Borikén (the indigenous name of Puerto Rico). She has been creating art in various mediums since the 90s. Hernández is passionate about using art and education as a tool for liberation, leading several workshops in universities in the US and Puerto Rico. Her 2011 piece, Soldaderas, is an homage to the shared cultural heritage and struggles of the people of Mexico and Puerto Rico.
The current artistic landscape of New York owes everything to the female street art artists who pioneered this art form and were unafraid to speak their truth and honestly share their experiences. We hope you enjoy exploring the city’s art and culture with us.