Digital Trailblazers: The Top 7 Female NFT Artists Ruling the Space

As the world celebrates International Women’s Day, let’s recognize the persistent struggles faced by female artists in sharing their artwork with the world even today. While famous male artists like PAK, Mike Winkelmann, and Erick Calderon are widely known and celebrated, female artists often struggle to gain recognition. When they do, their works are typically undervalued and underrepresented in traditional art collections.

Despite the increasing digitalization of the art world, female artists continue to face barriers to entry and representation. In recent days, however, the emergence of multiple marketplaces and the ease of minting digital art have offered a promising solution by offering female artists a global platform to showcase and gain recognition for their work.

7 Female NFT Artists Paving Way to a More Inclusive Industry

To celebrate International Women’s Day CE style, Coin Edition is featuring the top seven female NFT artists who use digital art to pursue goals beyond financial gain.

These exceptional artists, whose names are not ranked in any particular order, are a tribute to the women whose passion for art inspires us to celebrate their remarkable contributions to the digital art world.

Let’s take a look at the list:

1.    Nyla Hayes

The NFT art industry has become more inclusive due to the rise of female NFT artists such as Nyla Hayes, a 14-year-old who has achieved immense success at such a young age. Hayes became a multi-millionaire within a year with her dinosaur-inspired NFT portraits of long-necked women.

She created an all-women generative art collection on the Ethereum blockchain at age 12 and was named TIME Magazine’s first artist-in-residence. She also  partnered with the publication on various artistic projects. Hayes recently signed a representation deal with CAA, establishing herself as a notable artist in the industry.

Hayes made her mark not only as a young artist but also as a female artist, with over 3,000 hand-drawn and computer-generated collectibles, all featuring women. Her “Long Neckie Ladies” series was inspired by the kind yet courageous Brontosaurus from her favorite children’s show, Dino Dan. 

She has inspired girls worldwide and earned widespread exposure, with notable figures such as Eva Longoria and Reese Witherspoon purchasing her digital artwork. Hayes has made history as a female NFT artist, paving the way for other women to break into the industry.

2.    Yam Karkai

Yam Karkai, an innovative digital illustrator, is gaining recognition for her unique hand-drawn vector art with a particular focus on highlighting. Her artwork has gained widespread recognition for empowering women. She is now actively involved in promoting diversity and inclusivity in the emerging NFT space.

Drawing on her diverse upbringing, with experiences in both European and Middle Eastern cultures, her creative vision reflects a fusion of different perspectives. Capitalizing on this, she co-founded the “World of Women” NFT project, along with her partner  Raphael Malavieille, which showcases over 10,000 pieces of art from strong women worldwide. WoW provides a platform for women to share their stories and perspectives and create equal opportunities for female artists.

Through her digital art, she addresses important aspects of women’s lives and promotes positive change. With her contributions to the digital collectibles space and the WoW project, she is leaving a lasting impact on the art world and paving the way for more women to succeed in the industry.

3.    Itzel Yard

Itzel Yard, also known as IX Shells, has become the top-selling female NFT artist with her collection “Dreaming at Dusk.” Her digital art, commissioned by the non-profit The Tor Project, sold for $2 million to collectors on Foundation called PleasrDAO. Yard’s work is significant because it documents a piece of internet history.

Yard’s generative art style uses automation and computing to create patterns and shapes. She developed this collection by writing only 12 lines of code, showcasing her proficiency in coding and programming languages. Despite not seeking fame or wealth, this Afro-Caribbean artist’s groundbreaking work in the generative art world has brought her great success.

Through her work, Yard has made a valuable contribution to the art space and the archiving of internet history. Her success demonstrates the growing demand for NFT art and the important role that technology plays in the creative process.

4.    Krista Kim

Krista Kim is a contemporary artist and founder of the Techism movement, which converges art and technology to promote digital humanism. In her body of work, Kim advocates for artists to take the lead on technological innovation in the art industry.

Toronto-based Kim entered the NFT space in 2020 and sold her first “digital home” for $500,000, using the Unreal Engine by Epic Games. The house is a demonstration of a near future where art will be available in virtual 3D pieces, sold to collectors to be projected in homes and outdoor spaces. Her work challenges the traditional art world and bridges the gap between technology and art. She has also founded Krista Krim Studio, a website that promotes her initiatives.

Kim gained fame in March 2022 for “Mars House,” an NFT digital abode that sold for 288 ETH, or $663,000, more than the median US home price. Her passion for the intersection of art, technology, and digital humanism is one of the reasons why Kim is one of the leading women in NFT.

5.    Amber Vittoria

Amber Vittoria is an artist, illustrator, poet, and digital fine artist based in Los Angeles. Her impressive portfolio includes works in ink, pencil, paint, language, and most recently, digital fine art through NFTs.

With collaborations ranging from Google, Meta, Snapchat, and Apple to Gucci, Victoria’s Secret, Adidas, L’Oreal Paris, and The New York Times, Vittoria’s diverse body of work has made waves in both the traditional and digital art space. A Boston University College of Fine Arts graphic design alum, she was named in the ‘Forbes 30 Under 30’ list in the Art & Style category in 2020.

Vittoria’s recent foray into digital arts has been nothing short of explosive, with her two previously sold-out collections and her latest, “Memories of a Masterpiece,” selling out within hours of release. With over 100 ETH in volume within the first 24 hours of secondary market sales, her influence on the Web3 space is undeniable. Her art is characterized by vibrant fluidity and abstracted, feminine-inspired themes.

6.    Maliha Abidi

Maliha Abidi, a Pakistani-American author and visual artist, is a passionate advocate for social justice, women’s rights, gender equality, and girls’ education. Her passion for representing women from marginalized, under-recognized, and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) communities has led her to create “Women Rise,” a collection of 10,000 unique NFT art pieces that celebrate women from all over the world, including women scientists, activists, artists, coders, and more.

“Women Rise” is a testament to her commitment to social justice, with 25% of the proceeds going to the Malala Fund and 10% donated to organizations supporting gender equality, girls’ education, and mental health in marginalized societies.

As an artist and an author, Abidi has worked with renowned organizations like the United Nations, the Global Goals, Adobe, and Google, using her art to tell the stories of amazing women. Abidi’s mission goes beyond just creating art. Her ultimate goal is to build the first school in the metaverse for children worldwide who have limited access to education. Abidi’s dedication to empowering women and marginalized communities has earned her widespread recognition and admiration.

7.    Lisa Mayer

Lisa Mayer is a founder, entrepreneur, and advocate for gender equity in the still male-dominated NFT space. As the driving force behind “Boss Beauties,” a women-led initiative for artists and a mission-driven NFT project, Mayer is making a significant impact on digital reality by supporting young women and working mothers. Her focus on mentorship and dedicated scholarships has helped empower women pursuing careers in technology, leadership, and creative fields.

Her commitment to diversity and inclusivity has been the hallmark of her career, as she has collaborated with leading brands and organizations like Hugo Boss, the New York Stock Exchange, Barbie, and Rolling Stone to raise over $5 million for causes that benefit girls and women around the globe.

Mayer’s leadership and advocacy have paved the way for more women to break into the NFT space and pursue their passions fearlessly. Her unwavering commitment to empowering women is inspirational, and she remains an instrumental figure in the fight for gender equity in the digital space.

The Growing Role of Women in the World of Digital Art

Women are breaking barriers and shaking up the NFT space with their unique and original collections, despite being undervalued and underrepresented. These promising female artists listed above are paving the way for a more diverse and inclusive crypto, Web 3, blockchain, and NFT market and they serve as a testament to the limitless possibilities women can unravel in this arena of digital art.

From teenagers to working mothers, from hijab-clad expatriates to self-taught coders and artists, these women have overcome obstacles and conquered their goals in a male-ruled industry. Their successes are an inspiration for women everywhere to take a leap of faith, challenge the patriarchy, and break through the glass ceiling.