French painter Pascale Taurua has battled sexism, fierce competition in the fashion industry and a terrifying car accident to become one of Europe’s most exciting artists. We chatted to the artist about why she wants to empower women. 

“We’re no longer confined by an ideal standard of femininity or beauty,” explains Pascale, who lives on France's Basque coast. “Instead, we can celebrate our true selves through what we wear. Like painting, sculpture or dance, clothes are a way of revealing a vision.”

Challenging gender stereotypes by fusing feminism with razor-sharp observation, Pascale’s figurative pieces present fashion as an art of conquest. Shoes are a symbol of sexuality, while sunglasses allow us to shield our secrets from others. Drawing upon her own hardships, Pascale channels the strength that saw her turn her back on the fashion industry and open her own art school.

She says: “Many traumatic events – including a serious car accident in which my face was severely injured – led me to figurative painting as a form of art therapy. Today, I dare to use a bolder paint and a more deconstructed style. “Fashion is one of the most important means of communication, and my contemporary technique has given me back my power.”

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