PROFILE: Wangechi Mutu, by Smart Cookie

Wangechi Mutu, a Kenyan-born artist based in New York, and Master's graduate of Yale School of Art, makes luscious yet grotesque pictures of female figures. Her painted and collaged works serve as social critiques on contemporary society’s obsession with physical appearance.

33-year-old Mutu is an internationally recognized artist. Her work belongs to the permanent collections of the MOMA in New York, the Whitney Museum, and the Studio Museum of Harlem. Don't count on purchasing one of her masterpieces for yourself. Her paintings can command as much as $40,000!

However, it wasn't too long ago that Mutu couldn't afford to work on any other material besides paper. Upon finishing her master's at Yale, a school that supplied all materials, studio space and tools, Mutu was faced with the reality of being a recent graduate with low funds; a starving artist. But paper, ink, and pencil carried Mutu a looooong way. After a studio visit with a very influential and well-connected curator, Mutu's luck changed dramatically. Her work was put into an exhibit at the Studio Museum of Harlem and the response to her work was extraordinary.

Now, Wangechi Mutu is living the life: She has been able to purchase a brownstone in which she can live and work, her career has taken off, and most importantly, she is now able to be financially independent by pursuing her passion. Wangechi Mutu is truely an inspiration to recent graduates who can't seem to find the light at the end of the tunnel. She proves that with a little patience, determination, and faith, things will eventually work out just fine.