Starring portraits of iconic, glamorous, and powerful women, these large-scale paintings celebrate a group of critical female entertainers, each of whom has influenced the artist throughout his life and continues to inspire millions. Young depicts his admiration for these “Femme Fatales” through striking portraiture in his definitive style, combining screen printing on linen with his recognizable diamond dust signature. Each of these original, hand-pulled works have been executed at a monumental scale, indeed making the women larger than life. 

The Femme Fatale Series explores Young’s ongoing love of popular culture and for the diverse talents of his subjects. VU and Russell Young have chosen to specifically place focus on Josephine Baker, Gloria Swanson, and Nina Simone. With these three works, Russell Young underscores the continuing importance and relevance of these women, now more than ever given the cultural tensions and political discourse in contemporary society.

In a statement, Young writes: “The women of Femme Fatale are women of intelligence, sex appeal, ridiculous talent. They are all activists, humanitarians and rebellious by nature” He pauses and concludes with the cautionary “They may cause death”