Spotlight on Suzanne Shifflett for Women’s Equality Day

Painting by Suzanne Shifflett (American, 1965- )

Suzanne Shifflett is an academically trained painter and a tattoo artist. Shifflett’s work depicts gender non-conformity and aims to represent experiences, people, and communities that are invisible in society. She wants to express that which has little to no language, which is ignored in society, law, community, and art. In 2021, Shifflett received a Tom of Finland Foundation Achievement Award.

“I had been out as a Lesbian since my high school years, but I didn’t have a Queer community as support. That quickly changed upon moving to San Francisco California in 1988. My art went from making distorted male forms into painting empowered female forms. This had a lot to do with my freedom to be out and express my Queerness.”   

Women’s Equality Day that commemorates the ratification of the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote. The day serves to celebrate women’s achievements, reflect on the progress made toward gender equality, and encourage ongoing efforts to ensure equal rights and opportunities for all women.

Published: 26th August 2025

Categorised in: For the Record