​​

Nasty Women London was founded by Paige Megan Hawley, a photographer, curator, and activist whose work is deeply influenced by her personal experiences. After surviving sexual assault, Hawley turned to photography as a means of healing and expression, leading to projects like The Aftermath and STOP, and At Arm's Length, which confront trauma and reclaim agency through art.

​

Inspired by the global Nasty Women movement, Hawley co-organized the first Nasty Women London exhibition in 2017 alongside artist and collaborator Rejane Bidi and co-curators Harley Kilburn and Ivana Daccico This event showcased over 240 artworks from 184 artists across 27 countries, raising significant funds for charities such as Rape Crisis England and Women for Women International . The exhibition served as a platform for solidarity among artists and highlighted issues affecting women’s rights.

​

Building on this momentum, Hawley continued to curate and organise pop-up shows in London, with international Artists.  In 2022, CW Stubbs, an inaugural Nasty Women London artist, formerly joined the Nasty Gallery team as Director, helping to steer its evolution from a protest-led collective into a platform dedicated to amplifying the work and visibility of women artists at all stages of their practice.  Stubbs and Hawley, with the support of Zoe Chamberlain and Natalie Davey, multiple artists and a team of volunteers demonstrated  their commitment to women and the arts with Nasty Women Revive (in collaboration with Women of the Wick) & Nasty Gallery Uprising.

​

In 2024, artist Lior Hatt was featured in Uprising, bringing their distinctive style of vibrant, figurative drawings of women and queer bodies to the fore. A gay artist, Lior’s work celebrates the soft strength of the feminine form, depicting bodies of all sizes in vivid, non-erotic ways that center dignity and inclusivity.

​

Now a key member of Nasty Gallery, Lior Hatt co-facilitates life drawing sessions with founder Paige Megan Hawley. Rooted in collaboration and creative expression, these monthly workshops promote body positivity and artistic access for often-overlooked communities, successfully drawing artists of all backgrounds and levels into a shared space of exploration.

​

In early 2025 Nasty Gallery was invited to collaborate with Artist and Activist Aida Wilde in her ongoing concept of Other and Other Stories, in Part 1, Survival, Nasty Gallery flourished in  collaborative understanding of the concept of Other, in a 3 day occupancy of artistic expression, workshops and creating a safe space for people to join together to reflect and express their otherness.  Stories of Other, featured the works of Paige Megan Hawley, Boa Swindler, Apparan, Lior Hatt and CW Stubbs.

​

As part of OTHER Pt.1 (Survival) (March 2025), Nasty Gallery hosted a rich, multi-day series of workshops under the banner & Story of Other, offering space for creativity, reflection, and collective empowerment. The program featured banner-making with Aida Wilde, exploring identity and belonging through fabric and protest design; Creative Rituals for Resilience by CW Stubbs, blending mindfulness and art to foster self-compassion; and Reclaim, Reimagine, Repurpose by Apparan, using upcycling to transform discarded materials into affirming artworks. Life drawing sessions led by Paige Megan Hawley and Lior Hatt celebrated queer and feminine forms, while RADICAL Poster-making with Wilde and Page Masters championed bold visual activism. Artist Surgery sessions with Boa Swindler provided one-on-one mentorship for creatives.

 

Held over International Women’s Day weekend, the workshops created a vibrant ecosystem of DIY resistance, embodiment, and feminist expression rooted in the power of the personal and the political.

​

In April 2025, CW Stubbs stepped away from Nasty Gallery to focus on expanding her independent art and therapeutic practice, deepening her commitment to socially engaging work at the intersection of creativity, healing, and ethics. Her contributions as Director helped shape the gallery’s foundational years, centring feminist expression, accessibility, and collective care across its evolving programs.

​

With a show in Amsterdam on the horizon, co-curated with artist Helen Roeten and an upcoming pop-up in collaboration with the renowned SOAS (School of Oriental and African Studies), Nasty Gallery continues to expand its reach and impact. Artist and curator Boa Swindler (also known as Debra Wilson), whose work explores power, persuasion, and everyday sexism through print and mixed media, is currently supporting Paige Megan Hawley in shaping the gallery’s next chapter. Swindler, a co-founder and former director of WW Gallery (2008–2015), brings decades of experience to this role. Her own practice, influenced by Dadaist techniques and visual puns, has been exhibited internationally, with works held in collections including the V&A and The Factory Art Collection.

​

Despite its name, Nasty Gallery has no fixed location, yet its presence is strongly felt wherever it gathers. If home is where the heart is, Nasty Gallery beats with the ambition of one day securing a permanent space. Until then, a GoFundMe campaign supports this vision. The gallery’s continued success is only possible through the dedication of its volunteer team. All directors, artists, and collaborators give their time, energy, and often personal resources to bring these powerful exhibitions to life.