"THE RED MONSTERS"

A chaos, beast, maniac, ugly, disgusting creature, rebellious, deformed, weaker, demanding, provocative, undisciplined, dangerous, bitch, uneducated, evil beauty, difficult, bad, second sex, smelly, repulsive, terror, marvelous, blood, warning, weird angel, terrible, lazy, distrustful, mindless, fearless, hard to deal with, unwise, blob, too much, provocative, too attractive, mysterious, insecure, immature, rebel, aggressive, unethical, rule-breaker, betrayer, smokes, lustful, female flâneur, odd, taboo, feminist, abomination, weird, pussy, monster...

A red monster.

WOMEN IN SPORT + ART

Athletes

Nadia Comăneci (Athlete)

Nadia Comăneci (1961–Present) is a retired Romanian gymnast who made history at the 1976 Summer Olympics by becoming the first gymnast to score a perfect 10.0 in a routine, a feat that revolutionized the sport. At just 14 years old, Comăneci's flawless performances earned her three gold medals and international fame, making her one of the most iconic figures in Olympic history. Known for her precision, grace, and control, she set new standards for what was possible in gymnastics. Beyond her athletic achievements, Comăneci became a global symbol of perseverance and excellence, overcoming political and personal challenges to achieve greatness. Her groundbreaking success not only reshaped the sport but also inspired generations of athletes, especially young women, to strive for perfection and push the boundaries of what is possible.

Marta Vieira da Silva (Athlete)

Marta Vieira da Silva, commonly known as Marta (1986–Present), is a Brazilian soccer legend widely regarded as one of the greatest female footballers of all time. With a record six FIFA World Player of the Year awards, Marta has set countless milestones throughout her career, including being the all-time top scorer in FIFA World Cup history among both men and women. Known for her incredible dribbling skills, vision, and creativity on the field, Marta has consistently dominated international soccer, leading Brazil to multiple Olympic medals and World Cup finals. Beyond her athletic prowess, Marta has been a passionate advocate for women’s rights in sports, using her platform to call for greater visibility and equal pay for female athletes. Her leadership and influence extend far beyond her performance on the pitch, inspiring countless young girls around the world to pursue their dreams in football and to challenge gender stereotypes in sports. Marta's legacy as a trailblazer for women’s soccer is undeniable, and her impact continues to inspire the global growth of women’s football.

Billie Jean King (Athlete)

Billie Jean King (1943–Present) is a legendary American tennis player and a pioneering force in the fight for gender equality in sports. With 39 Grand Slam titles—including 12 in singles—King was not only one of the most dominant players in the history of tennis but also a trailblazer for women's rights. Her most iconic moment came in 1973 when she famously defeated Bobby Riggs in the Battle of the Sexes, a highly publicized match that symbolized the fight for equal treatment and opportunities for women in sports. Beyond her athletic achievements, King was a passionate advocate for women's sports, founding the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) and championing equal pay for female athletes. She was instrumental in the push for Title IX, which helped level the playing field for women in sports across the U.S. King’s advocacy and leadership helped to shape the modern landscape of women’s athletics, and her legacy continues to inspire generations of athletes and activists fighting for equality in sports and beyond.

Serena Williams (Athlete)

Serena Williams (1981–Present) is an American athlete widely regarded as one of the greatest athletes of all time, having revolutionized women’s tennis with her power, skill, and resilience. With 23 Grand Slam singles titles—the most by any player in the Open Era—Williams has dominated the sport for over two decades. Known for her unmatched athleticism, aggressive playing style, and mental toughness, she has not only shattered records but also shattered expectations about what women in sports can achieve. Her victories in major tournaments like Wimbledon, the US Open, and the Australian Open have made her an icon, while her advocacy for gender and racial equality in sports has further solidified her legacy. Beyond her on-court success, Williams has been a trailblazer for female athletes, using her platform to speak out on issues of inequality, body image, and the challenges of balancing family life with a high-level career. Serena Williams’ impact transcends tennis, inspiring millions worldwide to push boundaries and embrace their power.

Artists

Artemisia Gentileschi (Artist)

Artemisia Gentileschi (1593–1653) was a groundbreaking Italian Baroque painter known for her powerful depictions of women in history, mythology, and the Bible. Famous works like Judith Slaying Holofernes highlight her dramatic use of light and her portrayal of strong, resilient women. Having overcome personal trauma, Gentileschi’s art often explored themes of justice, revenge, and female empowerment. Despite the challenges of being a woman in the male-dominated art world of the 17th century, she became a highly respected figure, leaving a lasting legacy as a feminist icon in art history.

Ana Mendieta (Artist)

Ana Mendieta (1948–1985) was a Cuban-American artist whose work explored themes of feminism, identity, and the relationship between the body and nature. Known for her earth-body works, Mendieta often used her own body as a medium, creating performances, sculptures, and installations that integrated natural elements such as earth, fire, and water. Her iconic series Silueta (1973–1980) featured the imprint of her body in landscapes, often created with materials like mud, leaves, and blood, symbolizing her connection to the earth and the cyclical nature of life. Mendieta’s work also delved into issues of displacement and exile, reflecting her personal experience as a Cuban immigrant. In pieces like Untitled (Rape Scene) and Tree of Life, Mendieta addressed violence against women, social injustice, and the fragility of the human body. Though her life was tragically cut short, Mendieta’s innovative approach to art and her exploration of identity and power continue to influence contemporary art, particularly in the fields of performance and environmental art.

Louise Bourgeois (Artist)

Louise Bourgeois (1911–2010) was a French-American artist whose provocative sculptures, installations, and drawings explored themes of memory, trauma, sexuality, and the complexities of human relationships. Known for her iconic spider sculptures, such as Maman (1999), Bourgeois often used symbolism drawn from her own personal experiences, particularly her tumultuous childhood and complex relationships with her family. Her works frequently evoke feelings of both protection and menace, as in the case of her monumental spiders, which represent both maternal strength and the fear of vulnerability. Bourgeois also created intimate and emotionally charged works such as her Cells series, which comprised immersive installations filled with fragmented objects and evocative materials, often reflecting feelings of isolation, confinement, and psychological anguish. Throughout her career, Bourgeois pushed the boundaries of art, examining the intersection of the body, mind, and emotion, and cemented her legacy as one of the most important and influential artists of the 20th century.

Cindy Sherman (Artist)

Cindy Sherman (1954–Present) is an American artist renowned for her groundbreaking photographic self-portraits that explore identity, gender, and the role of women in society. Best known for her Untitled Film Stills series (1977–1980), Sherman used herself as the subject in staged, cinematic images, playing various female roles that question the representation of women in media and culture. Through costume, makeup, and elaborate sets, she transforms herself into a wide range of characters—each one revealing and subverting societal stereotypes about femininity and identity. Her later series, such as History Portraits and Clowns, continue to challenge traditional notions of beauty, sexuality, and identity by presenting unsettling or exaggerated versions of historical or cultural archetypes. Sherman's work, which blends performance, photography, and conceptual art, has had a profound influence on contemporary art, offering a complex critique of the construction of identity and the power dynamics embedded in visual representation.

Lee Krasner (Artist)

Lee Krasner (1908–1984) was a pioneering American abstract expressionist painter whose dynamic and vibrant work helped shape the New York School of artists in the mid-20th century. Known for her powerful use of color and form, Krasner’s works like The Liver is the Cock's Comb and Gaea reflect her deep emotional intensity and connection to both her inner world and the natural environment. Initially overshadowed by her marriage to fellow artist Jackson Pollock, Krasner’s art evolved into a distinctive voice that transcended the limitations of the Abstract Expressionist movement. Her iconic Little Image series, with its bold, gestural brushstrokes, and her later Collage works, explore themes of identity, energy, and transformation. Krasner’s art, often infused with a sense of raw emotion and rhythmic movement, cemented her place as a key figure in modern art, with her work continuing to be celebrated for its depth, innovation, and independence.

Georgia O'Keeffe (Artist)

Georgia O'Keeffe (1887–1986) is celebrated for her pioneering role in modern American art, particularly for her abstract and symbolic depictions of nature, flowers, and the American Southwest. Her iconic works like Black Iris and Red Canna showcase her ability to transform natural forms into bold, intimate abstractions, blurring the lines between reality and abstraction. O'Keeffe's paintings often explore themes of sexuality, femininity, and the sublime in nature, with works such as Sky Above Clouds and Jimson Weed capturing the vastness and power of the landscape. Her series of desert and bone paintings, including The Lawrence Tree, also reveal her fascination with the barren yet beautiful southwestern terrain. O'Keeffe’s masterful use of color, form, and composition solidified her as a defining figure in modernism, with her works continuing to inspire generations of artists.

Frida Kahlo (Artist)

Frida Kahlo (1907–1954) was an Mexican artist known for her deeply personal and symbolic artwork, often exploring themes of pain, identity, and the female experience. Her iconic works include The Two Fridas, where she depicts herself as two contrasting versions, reflecting her dual identity, and Self-Portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird, symbolizing her emotional and physical suffering. Other notable pieces like The Broken Column and Henry Ford Hospital reflect her chronic pain from a bus accident and miscarriage, while The Wounded Deer and What the Water Gave Me explore vulnerability and trauma. Her works blend surrealism, folk art, and personal symbolism, leaving a lasting legacy as a feminist icon and a powerful voice in art.

The RedLips Women Art + Sport Project is all about blending art and sports to not only highlight women athletes and artists but also push for gender equality, empowerment, and social change. At its heart, the project uses the bold symbol of red lips to represent confidence, strength, and femininity, while challenging traditional gender roles in both the sports and art worlds. It’s a celebration of breaking boundaries and redefining what it means to be a woman in these spaces.