This article profiles six visionary women shaping the art world in 2025, beginning with British designer Es Devlin, known for her immersive stagecraft and large-scale installations. It highlights her recent role as global artistic lead of the Women’s Pavilion at Expo 2025 in Osaka, where she created a participatory sound installation. The piece also features Tokini Peterside-Schwebig, founder of ART X Lagos, West Africa's leading international art fair, which celebrates its tenth anniversary in 2025. Peterside-Schwebig is a cultural entrepreneur and collector who has expanded the fair into initiatives like ART X Live!, the Access ART X Prize, and a school program for underprivileged children.
Why it matters: The article underscores the growing influence of women leaders in the global art ecosystem, from experimental design and public art to building infrastructure for African contemporary art. By spotlighting figures like Devlin and Peterside-Schwebig, it reflects broader shifts toward inclusivity, participatory art, and the rise of Lagos as a cultural capital. Their work demonstrates how individual visionaries can drive institutional change, support emerging talent, and address urgent social and environmental issues through art.