Nadya Tolokonnikova is a conceptual artist and political activist from Russia. She is a founding member of the art collective Pussy Riot, focusing attention on feminism, LGBTQ+ rights, environmental activism, and human rights violations in Russia and abroad. She served two years’ imprisonment following an anti-Putin performance and protest by Pussy Riot in Moscow’s Cathedral of Christ the Saviour. This protest attracted international media attention and support from the likes of Peter Gabriel, Sir Paul McCartney, Madonna and Bjork.
Shortly after her release, she co-founded an independent news service and media outlet, MediaZona, now partnered with The Guardian and VICE. MediaZona reports on Russia’s courts, law enforcement and prison system.
At the same time, she launched Zona Prava, a non-governmental organization which works to protect prisoner’s rights. Since then, Nadya’s criminal justice reform work has produced changes in the women’s prison where she and other inmates suffered human rights violations at the hands of the guards.
She has spoken before the US Congress, British Parliament, European Parliament and has shared the stage with world leaders. She has appeared as herself with President Frank Underwood on season 3 of House of Cards and performed the Pussy Riot song “Refugees In” as part of Banksy’s Dismaland exhibition.
Nadya is a Lennon Ono Grant for Peace recipient, and a co-recipient of the Hannah Arendt Prize for Political Thought. Pussy Riot as a collective was named ‘Women of the Year” by TIME magazine.
She is the author of Read and Riot (Harper Collins 2018), the critically acclaimed how-to guide for budding activists and social movements looking to boost their radical prowess.
