Pussy Riot’s Maria Alyokhina has announced her plans to open up a “women’s-only” museum in Montenegro.

Speaking in an interview with Artnet News, the punk activist revealed that the band were working on the idea, and had joined forces with gallerist Marat Guelman to make it happen. “In the media, in public spaces – a lot of people are just scared to say what they really are thinking,” she explained, when discussing the project. “Because if you do it, you are going to prison.”

Known as the New Balkan Women's Museum, the venue will apparently only feature female artists, curators and administrators – making it “for woman, by women, about women.” It is yet to settle on an opening date though, as Alyokhina is still taking consultations from Guelman and other feminists on the overall aesthetic.

Given the embarrassing lack of diversity in the art world, it’s an interesting idea. Women’s solo shows have only made up 14 per cent of the Guggenheim’s calendar, as well as 25 per cent at the Tate Modern and 16 per cent at the Pompidou. They’re pretty damning figures, and they cascade even further when discussing WoC, and other minority groups. 

For Alyokhina though, the project will be important for the spirit of Pussy Riot – which started as an art punk collective, and is now a global protest movement. The group are hoping it will encourage others to take up their cause. “When we are going to other countries, we always meet people who are Pussy Riot,” she added. “I think that it's the best thing. You should not have to have some kind of membership. You should just put the mask on and start protesting.”