By Sophia Sullivan, Arts & Culture Editor
Females have been a driving force in the art scene for all of history. Whether it be through literature, music, television, painting, or other mediums, women project their thoughts, feelings, and voices through art forms that only they can create.
Saint Leo University students are also passionate about female art, and their top picks are clear.
Kat Ward, a first-year student majoring in history, is a passionate fan of singer-songwriter Phoebe Bridgers.
“I love how she creatively expresses feelings of melancholy through her vivid, poetic lyricism and dreamy, unique melodies,” said Ward. “Her music just reaches into the depths of your soul, and in her music, I find shared comfort in the complexities of love, sadness, and life in general.”
This is the case for many who listen to female musicians. Women often connect and become empowered through narratives of a shared female experience.
Likewise, Anna Griffiths, a sophomore majoring in elementary education, said that her favorite female artist is Billie Eilish, a singer-songwriting who rose to fame in 2015 with her hit song Ocean Eyes. Eilish is relatable and inspirational for many reasons, but a key to being that she is only 22 years old.
“Her voice is so beautiful, and I can relate to her lyrics. Her songs help me get through tough times and express my emotions,” said Griffiths.
Many other artists like Taylor Swift and Beyoncé are incredibly popular currently and excel at connecting women (and sometimes even men) by highlighting collective experiences and feelings that tend to isolate women through space and time.
Speaking of time, Maeve Kiley, a sophomore majoring in English, said that her favorite female artist is author Mary Shelley. Shelley is best known for her 1818 Gothic novel, Frankenstein.
“Not only is she a remarkable, brave woman who stood for women’s rights, but she was an amazing author who really understood character development and the depths of the human soul,” said Kiley.
Singing and writing are not the only forms of art Saint Leo students are fond of, however. Chloe Doherty, a junior double majoring in criminal justice and international studies, said her favorite female artist is the Italian baroque painter Artemisia Gentileschi.
Gentileschi produced many works throughout the 17th century, and it is believed that she began creating professional pieces at the early age of 15 years old. Notably, she was the first woman to gain membership in the prestigious Florence Academy of Fine Art.
“I love her paintings and all the history behind her artwork,” said Doherty. “She went through a lot and her resilience shows in her artwork!”
She was truly a trailblazer for female artists, even back when women were not typically welcomed into the art scene.
Whether they are current artists taking the world by storm, or artists that are remembered fondly from the past, one thing is clear: women and art have a special connection that also serves to connect others.
