Nadya Tolokonnikova performing Putin’s Ashes

Nadya Tolokonnikova (b. 1989, Norilsk, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union) is a conceptual performance artist, activist and the creator of Pussy Riot, a global feminist protest art movement. She was sentenced in 2012 to two years’ imprisonment following the anti-Putin performance Punk Prayer in a Moscow cathedral. The Guardian named Punk Prayer among the most important art pieces of the 21st century. Her work is the subject of museum exhibitions at Dallas Contemporary, and the Francisco Carolinum in Linz, Austria.

Nadya Tolokonnikova published the book Read and Riot: Pussy Riot’s Guide to Activism, co-founded the independent news service and media outlet Mediazona, co-founded the art-collecting collective Unicorn DAO, and raised over $7 million for Ukraine. She spoke before the US Congress, British Parliament, European Parliament, appeared as herself on season 3 of House of Cards, and appeared on the cover of Time Magazine in 2012 as one of the most influential people of the year.