Hello, welcome, good to see you again...

An important note for new and old subscribers alike!

Since there are so many new subscribers to this Substack (hello, welcome!) I thought it might be nice to take stock, explain how it all works, and let you know my plans for this newsletter. Also, a bit about me and a reintroduction for those of you who have been with me since the beginning (thank you!).

As you may well know, I've always loved art. Some of my earliest memories are of visiting the Tate Modern’s Turbine Hall (I was six when it first opened), and I still remember being awestruck by Louise Bourgeois’s towering spider, Maman, or Anish Kapoor’s sprawling red construction. (For more, check out my essay, How I fell in love with art.) I was always transfixed by the idea that a painting or sculpture could move us so deeply, or allow us to go to places where we’ve never been before but instantly recognise. Many of these works were by women: from Bridget Riley’s dizzying paintings or Lubaina Himid’s vibrant cut out figures. And yet, they seemed largely absent from the history books. But that didn’t occur to me until I was 21.

Bridget Riley’s dizzying creations from the 1960s

It was then, in October 2015, that my epiphany struck. I walked into an art fair and realised that, out of the thousands of artworks before me, not a single one was by a woman. So I asked myself, could I name twenty women artists off the top of my head (could you?), ten pre-1950, any pre-1850? The answer was no.

So I decided to make it my mission to bring attention to the world the greatest artists who just so happen not to be men. I started an Instagram account – updating it daily – that grew and grew. I launched a podcast. Spoke in schools. Staged exhibitions – my first was in the foyer of an advertising agency when I was 23 (image below!). Started an artist residency. Lectured at universities on the importance of women’s contribution to art. Then a book, a column, some tv shows. Now I have this newsletter which, over time, thousands of you joined – thank you!

At my first ever exhibition, November 2017

From now on, I'm going to be making this Substack the home for many of my thoughts and I’d love it if you could share the news by clicking the button below:

I’ll keep my fortnightly newsletter free, but for those who are able to support me, I am also offering a paid membership. It's £5 a month, or £50 a year.

What does being a paid subscriber mean?

Your support enables me to continue to do this important work. It means I can spend time telling the stories of those artists whose work is often overshadowed. It means I can write more essays, create image-based articles, interview artists whose voice deserves to be heard. In other words you make a difference.

If this feels like something you can do then please click on the button below.

I’m already bursting with ideas about what I am going to write here – this Wednesday I begin my monthly “What I’m reading…”. This is my opportunity to go deeper than my Instagram and write longer reviews of shows, books, films, and more. And keep you updated about what’s happening in the world of art.

Here's what you get if you become a paid subscriber:

• Regular emails with more personal thoughts

• Essays discussing art, books, articles, films, podcasts, and more

• Interviews with artists and writers

• Additional podcast and video content

• Excerpts from my book and podcast

• Photo-essays, from Surrealist paintings to the world’s best bookshelves!

• Invites to real-life events

• A community of people discussing art! I want to hear from you.

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You get the idea! It’s going to be fun, and I hope you’ll come and join me.

Thank you, as ever.

Katy. Xoxo