POSTED BY: Katelynn Spaid

International Women’s Day

8th Mar, 2018

International Women’s Day

Today is International Women’s Day. This dichotomy of celebration and protest takes place every year on 8th March.

The seeds were sown over a century ago in New York, with an event to campaign for better pay and rights for women. It has now grown into celebration of the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women right across the globe.

To mark 2018, we asked the Team at Neworld to tell us a little more about the women who’ve inspired them in their lives…

Fatti Burke, Illustrator

I have found Fatti influential firstly because of her tireless work ethic – once you’ve opened your eyes to her illustrations they become ubiquitous. She takes the everyday, the arguably mundane and with her own unique flair makes it engaging and stimulating.” Lorna McWeeney

Fatti Burke is an illustrator from Co. Waterford, Ireland and currently lives in Dublin. Fatti is the co-creator (with her father John) and illustrator of the best-selling Irelandopedia, which won a BGE Irish Book Award 2015. The pair’s second book, Historopedia was released with great success in 2016.

Eileen Gray, Architect and Furniture Designer

“I visited her exhibition a few years ago, but I can still remember being in awe of her designs.” Deirdre O’Sullivan

Eileen Gray was a woman beyond her time. The Irish-born architect and furniture designer was a pioneer of Modern Movement in architecture in the early 1900s. Her legacy lives on in the National Museum of Ireland where her work has a permanent exhibition.

Orit, President and CEO of The O Group

“As I was thinking about women that have inspired me I went back in my head to my first real boss in the design arena in the early 1980s. A certain lady art director took me under her wing and taught me the business aspect of design and how to cope in the publishing world.” Pat Kinsley

Orit is now the boss of her own branding design company – The O Group in NYC. She is recognised through numerous award wins and sits on the National Advisory Board of the Women’s Leadership Exchange.

Annie Leibovitz, Photographer

“I had the chance to see her art exhibition and was amazed by her life history. Her photos are one of the kind – an image worth a thousand words. She influenced me to thrive as a woman. Even in a industry filled with men, it’s possible to stand out as a woman.” Rita Gomes

Annie Leibovitz is an American portrait photographer. Her work has been used on numerous album covers and magazines, such as Rolling Stones, Vogue and Vanity Fair. In 1991, she became the first woman to hold an exhibition at Washington’s National Portrait Gallery.

Dorothy Cross, Artist

“I remember going to galleries when I was younger and coming across some work by Dorothy Cross in IMMA. A lot of the great artists that we learn about and see in galleries are men and at the time it was very refreshing to come across such meaningful work that had been produced by an Irish woman.”  Veronica Dooley

Born in Cork, Dorothy Cross is one of Ireland’s leading international artists. Her work ranges from object to opera – working with sculpture, photography and video. Dorothy’s work is personal, intimate and reflective of her own experiences, often using found objects which have been in her family’s possession for many years.

Annie Atkins, Graphic Designer

“Graphic design in film may be an invisible role, but Annie Atkins is a star in my book. Her impressive IMDB page speaks for itself.” Katelynn Spaid

Annie Atkins captured the spotlight with her work in Wes Anderson’s film “The Grand Budapest Hotel” in 2014. She now works from her studio in Dublin, and teaches workshops on design in film.

Paula Scher, Partner at Pentagram New York

“Her design thinking is exceptional. She’s a great speaker about her work and has enlightened me every time I’ve seen a presentation.” Glenn Bolton

Paula Scher is a partner in the New York Office of Pentagram. For decades, she’s been at the forefront of graphic design and her work has been exhibited all over the world.

Honourable Mentions:

Louise Fili – Graphic Designer and Typography Designer
Jessica Hische – Typography Designer, Letterer and Illustrator
Kate Moross – Graphic Designer, Illustrator and Art Director
Chupi Sweetman – Jewellery Designer
Ruth Power – Ceramic Designer
Helen James – Designer
Laura Callaghan – Illustrator
Fuchsia MacAree –  Illustrator
Kiki Na Årt – Jewellry Designer
Yvonne Farrell and Shelley McNamara – Architects
Bridget Riley – Op Artist