Breaking Barriers: 17-Year-Old Founder Leads HerArt Collective in Art Equality Movement
Her Art Collective, an entrepreneurial venture by 17-year-old Serrena Khanna, supported by WeDiversify by Jyotika Dhawan, a global collaborative focused on Gender Equality, hosted a groundbreaking Art Exhibit and sale on August 7, 2024, at the Innovative Lighting Studio in Okhla. The event, held on August 7, 2024, aimed to showcase the diverse talents of upcoming female artists alongside works by underprivileged artists, promoting Gender Equality in Art and fostering connections within the art community.
A remarkable 80 percent of the artwork displayed was sold, with proceeds benefiting women emerging artists and economically weaker section females. This initiative not only provided a platform for talented artists to showcase their work but also contributed to empowering women in the art industry.
“We are thrilled to have hosted this event that celebrates the creativity and talent of female artists while supporting underprivileged artists in our community,” said Serrena Khanna, founder of Her Art Collective. “Through initiatives like this, we hope to continue promoting Gender Equality in the art world and creating opportunities for artists from all backgrounds to thrive.”
The venue, a design studio, provided the perfect backdrop to celebrate creativity and diversity in the art world. Her Art Collective, led by Serrena Khanna, is dedicated to advocating for gender equality within the art industry. Shocking statistics reveal the stark gender disparities in the art world, with only 4% of modern artists featured in the Metropolitan Museum of Art being female, despite comprising 72% of the nudes in its gallery. Additionally, a mere 2% of global art auction spending is allocated to female artists, who face significant wage disparities compared to their male counterparts.
Founded with the mission to promote and support female artists, Her Art Collective aims to nurture budding talent across the art scene in India. Supported by the non-profit organization WeDiversify, the collective has already made significant strides in advocating for gender equality through various initiatives, including art workshops for underprivileged children, Insta sessions with established artists, and exhibitions for female artists and artists supporting equality. We Diversify is led by Jyotika Dhawan. With various awards on Gender Equality and Social Impact to her credit, she works on making Sustainable Development Goal 5- Gender Equality and Goal 10- Equal Opportunities a priority. Their work includes advocacy, engagement & empowerment of people from different genders, sexual orientations, disabilities, neurodiversity, body, age, economic backgrounds and more Serrena Khanna is committed to promoting gender equality in the arts.
Drawing inspiration from her own achievements in photography, including winning awards like the Scholastic Art and Writing Silver Key and Photography Underclass Student of the Year, Serrena launched Her Art Collective to address the underrepresentation of women in the art industry.
Currently attending Blair Academy in the US, Serrena is not only passionate about art but also active in golf, acting, and leadership roles such as Dorm Prefect and a member of the Belonging & Equity Committee. Her dedication to equality led her to establish Her Art Collective, a beacon of hope for aspiring female artists in India and beyond