In a year that has revealed the depth of many societal inequities, many well-intentioned artists, curators, and collectors have been seeking to do more than simply pay lip service to the causes of racial injustice and economic disenfranchisement.

Among them is Daria Borisova, a London-based curator who focuses on emerging artists and collection-building with an emphasis on transparency and education. So Borisova, who has curated shows at the Soho Arts Club, the National Arts Club, and Chase Contemporary, teamed up with Beauty for Freedom, an anti-human trafficking organization based in New York City.

Together, Borisova and the nonprofit organized “Herstory,” an exhibition to benefit Beauty for Freedom along with three additional Black-led, women-led grassroots initiatives: Tiwale, which is based in Malawi; Stand for Education in South Sudan; and Adelle Onyango Initiative in Kenya. In their own ways, each organization has worked to empower women and girls of color, battle human trafficking, and supporting victims of sexual violence, as well as tackle issues of food insecurity and education in underserved communities.

“Through their community, Beauty for Freedom has donated over $350,000 in supplies for the arts, facilitated over 20,000 hours of volunteerism in anti-trafficking movements, and created workshops for over 3,000 survivors of human trafficking,” Borisova said. Previously, she worked with the organization on “Project Ghana,” in which they paired with Ghanaian anti­-trafficking organization Challenging Heights to produce a series of art, music, and photography workshops dedicated to promoting self‐esteem and self­‐expression for youth survivors of labor trafficking.

Launching on October 11—the International Day of the Girl—”Herstory” will feature works by rising artists including Christopher Hartmann, Kojo Marfo, Trevor Andrew, and Kristy M. Chan, among others. Profits from all sales will be split entirely between the artists and the organizations. 

See a selection of works being offered in “Herstory” below. Click to inquire on Artnet. 

Nichola Koshkosh
Pharaoh Flowers
Price: $4,700

Nichola Koshkosh, Pharaoh Flowers (2020). Courtesy of the artist.

Christopher Hartmann
Untitled
Price: $1,500

Christopher Hartmann, Untitled (2020). Courtesy of the artist.

Reuben Dangoor
Keep Going
Price: $2,600

Reuben Dangoor, Keep Going (2020). Courtesy of the artist.

Sally Kindberg
Statue II
Price: $460

Sally Kindberg, Statue II (2020). Courtesy of the artist.

Kristy M. Chan
Placebo Droplets With Lamp Lady
Price: $6,300

Kristy M. Chan, Placebo Droplets With Lamp Lady (2020). Courtesy of Kovet.Art.

Maria Kreyn
Halo
Price: $7,000

Maria Kreyn, Halo (2019). Courtesy of the artist.

Trevor Andrew
Untitled
Price: $8,000

Daria Borisova, a London-based curator who seeks to utilize non-traditional spaces to create immersive exhibitions and present emerging artists that often work in new media. Her most recent curatorial work includes: Global Call for Artists in partnership with W1 Curates x Amplifier – a digital public art installation in London, Winter Show at Harlesden High Street Gallery in London, House of Togetherness in London and Alla Gorka: Heroine presented by White Ribbon in the Ukranian Parliament and America House Kyiv. She has also collaborated with The Art Gorgeous to help educate women about the cryptic art of collecting.