One of the artists suggested by my lecturer was the Guerrilla Girls. Formed in New York City in 1985, the group emerged after a protest the previous year against the Museum of Modern Art’s lack of female representation. The Guerrilla Girls are an anonymous collective of feminist artists who work to expose sexism and racism within the art world. Their work combines activism, art, and humor to challenge the inequalities that continue to shape cultural institutions.
The members conceal their identities by wearing gorilla masks and take on the names of famous women from history. In their 1998 book The Guerrilla Girls’ Bedside Companion to the History of Western Art, they describe themselves as “a group of women artists and art professionals who fight discrimination. We’re the conscience of the art world, counterparts to the mostly male traditions of anonymous do-gooders like Robin Hood, Batman, and the Lone Ranger.” They also explain that they “have produced over 80 posters, printed projects, and actions that expose sexism and racism in the art world and culture at large… We use humor to prove that feminists can be funny… We could be anyone; we are everywhere.” (Tate Museum)
One of their most well-known works, Do Women Have to Be Naked to Get Into the Met Museum? (1989), was inspired by a visit to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. After counting the number of female artists and female nudes, the group found that “less than 5% of the artists in the Modern Art sections are women, but 85% of the nudes are female.” This piece became an iconic critique of gender inequality in the arts and remains one of their most widely recognised campaigns.
The Guerrilla Girls are an activist art collective who use humour, creativity, and protest to challenge discrimination within the art world. Their work exposes sexism, racism, and elitism across cultural institutions, combining sharp wit with strong visual communication. Formed in the 1980s, the group remains active today, producing artworks, public installations, and educational events that continue to confront inequality. They have also published a book, available through the Tate and retailers like Amazon, which includes a punch-out gorilla mask encouraging readers to take part in the movement themselves. The publication presents the Guerrilla Girls’ intersectional and deeply researched critique of the patriarchy, with commentary from the artists that gives context to each image.
Taking inspiration from the Guerrilla Girls, I’m interested in how design can uncover what’s often left unseen within cultural spaces. Their work challenges the art world to confront bias and inequality, using bold visuals and direct language to make people stop and think. I want to bring a similar sense of reflection into my National Gallery project, not through protest, but through gentle provocation and awareness.
My aim is to highlight the stories, artists, and perspectives that are often overshadowed in traditional gallery narratives. This could mean drawing attention to overlooked women, questioning how art is represented, or exploring the accessibility of the gallery itself. A creative intervention, such as a series of posters or a printed guide, could invite visitors to look more critically at what’s on display. Posing questions like “Who gets to be remembered?” or “Whose stories are missing from these walls?” would encourage people to reflect on the hidden layers of history that shape how we see art today.
https://shop.tate.org.uk/guerrilla-girls-the-art-of-behaving-badly/35132.html
https://www.tate.org.uk/art/artists/guerrilla-girls-6858/who-are-guerrilla-girls