For Ws annual The Originals portfolio, we asked creativespioneers in the fields of art, design, fashion, comedy, activism, and moreto share their insights on staying true to themselves. See this years full class of creatives here.

After three years of working as an artist and illustrator, you entered the NFT space and created a collection of diverse PFPs [NFT profile pictures]. What is World of Women, and why did you start it?

I entered the Web3 space [a nascent iteration of the Internet that emphasizes decentralization and blockchain technology] early last year, selling my single-edition art pieces through these NFT platforms. I saw there was a huge lack of representation in this space, which really frustrated me. As the movement of NFT profile-picture collections, like the Bored Apes, started booming, I thought, Im going to do the same thing, but its going to be a collection of women of all skin colors, all ethnicities. The response to them really showed me this problem was much bigger than I thought. There were a lot of women hiding or being quiet in this space because they didnt feel appreciated or seen. Now were an established company with almost 20 employees, and its only been a year.

Do you think its easier to be original today than it was 20 years ago?

Technology is a double-edged sword. It has allowed us to achieve incredible things, and as weve seen with Web3, it has enabled communities from all around the world to connect and to form ideas and resources to be shared more efficiently and directly. But at the same time, technology has disconnected us from certain things and has made us lazier. Maybe before, people made more of an effort with certain things that now we just take for granted.

How do you think Web3 has changed the game for artists?

Youre able to put your art out there in front of collectors around the world, and people dont care where youve shown, who you are, or where you come from. Its all about the art and how it touches people. It is harder to make a living from your art when you dont have the right connections. This allows anybody to do that.

What do you think is the biggest misconception about NFTs and blockchain technology?

A lot of people assume that this is just speculation, and that its all about making money really fast and the same people getting richer and richer every day. And while it is true that a lot of the same people are getting richer, blockchain technology is an opener for so many more things that we can do as individuals in the long term. Another misconception is that this is all made just for dudes.

Where in the world, and doing which activity, are you happiest?

I love cooking with my momits like therapy. Or being in the desert at night, looking at the grandness of the sky and sharing a meal with my husband, friends, or family members.

Hair and Makeup by Julia Krmer.

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World of Women CEO Yam Karkai Brings Inclusivity to the Blockchain - W Magazine