Shantell Martin kicked of her 2019 Art Basel Miami with Paddle 8's Annual Basel Brunch honoring the talented artist Tschabalala Self for her artistic endeavors and her fundraising for UN Women UK, a United Nations organization devoted to “eradicating gender inequality by 2030” through political and economic empowerment, planning and budgeting for gender-related causes, ending violence against women and girls, and “supporting women in leadership positions to promote peace and security around the world.”

Self was the first artist tapped for The Art of Empowerment, a program devised with entrepreneur and activist Maria Baibakova to support UN Women UK through the sale of limited-edition pieces (30, in this case, plus two artist proofs) by female artists on a bi-annual basis. 

Among those on hand to celebrate Self and the cause were Mickalene Thomas, Chloe Wise, Kennedy Yanko, Studio Drift’s Ralph Nauta and the art critic Antwaun Sargent.

Photo: Madison McGaw/BFA.com

Following the Paddle 8 Brunch, Martin joined hosts Marilyn Minter and the Pulitzer Prize-winning art critic Jerry Saltz at the Soho Beach House's library for an intimate discussion and dinner hosted by Playboy, guests included Tove Lo, Jack Shainman, Mia Moretti and Shepard Fairey.

Photo: Lexie Moreland/WWD

Lastly, Shantell Martin was joined by leading HBO Talent including Sarah Grealman, (Makeup Artist, High Maintenance), Muriel Parra (Costume Designer, Los Espookys), and moderator Tony Hernandez (Co-founder of the Immigrant Archive Project) in a panel discussion for HBO's Human by Orientation.

The group lead an open conversation on creativity, identity and exploring diversity in all its aspects; the evening also included a live performance by Martin. 

Photo: Bryan Bedder/Getty Images