THECLA SCHAEFFER
CMO-turned-artist Thecla Schaeffer asks big questions around identity, motherhood and the autonomy of women’s bodies
In a bold statement against the creeping regression in women’s rights, bodily autonomy and identities, marketer-turned-artist Thecla Schaeffer’s artwork and social dialogue interrogates the societal expectations placed on mothers and asks bigger questions around female identity and the role and perception of women in society.
As the former head of marketing for denim label G-Star and ethical chocolate brand Tony's Chocolonely, Thecla has won a slew of creative awards, including a Grand Prix at Cannes Lions, for parlaying the power of persuasion into positive causes. At G-Star, she launched a multi-year collaboration with Pharrel Williams, selling jeans made of recycled plastic collected from the world’s oceans, followed by ‘The Sweet Solution’ - a public condemnation of the cocoa industry in the form of lookalike chocolate bars - at Tony’s Chocolonely.
Her art revolves around themes such as womanhood, motherhood, vulnerability, exploitation, justice, strength, and freedom. A deeply personal expression of her own journey, but one that’s simultaneously evolved into a universal narrative, reflecting the experiences of women in our world.
She likes to talk and write about
How art can change the conversation and amplify women’s voices in an increasingly conservative climate
Reclaiming women’s bodily autonomy through art
Challenging patriarchal norms and the art world
The influence of her branding and marketing experience on her art