Conceptual performance artist and activist Nadya Tolokonnikova is the creator of Pussy Riot, a global feminist protest art movement. Today, hundreds of people identify as a part of the Pussy Riot community.
She was sentenced in 2012 to 2 years' imprisonment following an anti-Putin performance. Went through 3 hunger strikes protesting savage prison conditions and ended up being sent far away, going through 12 prison facilities.
Published a book "Read and riot: Pussy Riot's guide to activism". Has spoken before the US Congress, British Parliament, European Parliament, appeared as herself on season 3 of House of Cards, performed at Banksy's “Dismaland” exhibition.
Pussy Riot's Punk Prayer was named by The Guardian among the best art pieces of the 21st century ("feminist, explicitly anti-Putin, protesting the banning of gay pride and the Orthodox church’s support of the president").
Her protest art "Virgin Mary, Please Become a Feminist" and the Putin’s Ashes art installation at Deitch Gallery in January 2023 propelled her into a new criminal case and put on Russia’s most wanted criminal list. On June 21st, her debut museum exhibition RAGE, opens at OK Linz, Linz, Austria.
