Holly Suzanne Rader has dedicated the last three years to creating a cast of fierce females in the form of collage paintings and exuberant dress sculptures of starlets, models, and performers from a bygone era. “This all comes from an inner desire to remove the female frailties our society has portrayed as weak while highlighting all of the exquisite characteristics that make up femininity.”

Holly Suzanne Rader
Mixed media and acrylic on panel
60 × 48 Inches, 2015.

Holly Suzanne Rader
Mixed media and acrylic on panel
60 × 48 Inches, 2015.

Holly Suzanne Rader
Mixed media and acrylic on panel
60 × 48 Inches, 2014.

Holly Suzanne Rader
Mixed media and acrylic on panel
60 × 48 Inches, 2015.
Holly Suzanne Rader began her fine arts career as a classically trained portrait painter, evolving into a sculptor and mixed media artist. Her work explores a wide range of materials including acrylic, photo collage, wax, resin, paper mache, sequins, glitter and even candy. Images courtesy of Detour Gallery
This artwork feature originally appeared in the Money issue.