So, we’ve covered Beyoncé’s art world credentials, the Olsen twin’s artistic side and discussed why Lana Del Rey is an art girl icon, so who best to discuss next? RiRi of course.
Let’s face it, RiRi is the ultimate muse. I can bet many an artist has used her as inspiration for their paintings, but here’s a few more examples of how she is connected to the world of art!
Let’s begin with her style…
RiRi is famous for her fashionista prowess, and now it’s being cemented in museum exhibitions. From pieces in the travelling Dior exhibition from London to Paris, her iconic yellow Met Gala dress from 2015 – designed by Guo Pei – is being put on display in an exhibition at the Asian Civilisations Museum in Singapore, talk about outfit goals…
And her design collaborations with artists…
In 2016 RiRi launched a sock line with Stance Socks, collaborating with artist Bijou Karman. Having discovered Karman online, Rihanna worked with the artist on the campaign, with Karman making fashion illustrations of the icon wearing the socks for her advertising images.
And now to the art fair
It seems that RiRi likes to attend art fairs just like all of us art girls. That’s right, she was spotted earlier this year at Art Basel, and hardly anyone noticed. She visited with her beau Hassan Jameel, and even visited AFTER the VIP opening.
She has her own collection of art too
For Christmas in 2016, she was gifted with Jeff Koons’s GOAT. Champs Edition, as well as Taschen’s Muhammad Ali monograph by her creative director Ciarra Pardo, a gift she called “so sexy” (we agree).
Activism via Art
RiRi also uses art to spread the message about global issues. When Saudi women were given the ability to drive in 2017, she posted an artwork on Instagram by Saudi artist Tagreed Bagshi showing a Saudi woman sitting on top of the car. RiRi captioned the image: “love to see progression. Women will now be able to drive in Saudi Arabia”
But what about her relationship with artists?
In fact, our girl RiRi has a long history of supporting artists. When she released ANTI in 2016 she chose to work with an artist for the album’s cover. The lucky art boy in question was Israeli Roy Nachbum, who put an image of Rihanna wearing a crown and a holding a black balloon on the record’s cover, an image that has now reached “iconic” status.
Text Lizzy Vartanian
Images via @acm_sg @bijoukarman @roynachum @badgalriri, TheArtGorgeous
