World of Women CEO Yam Karkai brings inclusivity to Blockchain

For W’s annual The originals portfolio, we asked creatives—pioneers in art, design, fashion, comedy, activism, and more—to share their insights on being true to yourself. See this year’s entire creative class here.

After three years of working as an artist and illustrator, you entered the NFT space and created a collection of different PFPs [NFT profile pictures]. What is World of Women and why did you start it?

I entered the Web3 site [a nascent iteration of the Internet that emphasizes decentralization and blockchain technology] early last year, selling my artwork in one edition through these NFT platforms. I saw that there was a huge lack of representation in this space, which really frustrated me. As the movement of NFT profile picture collections, like “Bored Apes,” started to blossom, I thought, I’m going to do the same thing, but it’s going to be a collection of women of all skin colors, all ethnicities. Their response really showed me that this problem was much bigger than I thought. There were many women who hid or were quiet in this room because they did not feel appreciated or seen. Now we are an established company with almost 20 employees, and it’s only been a year.

Do you think it is easier to be original today than it was 20 years ago?

Technology is a double-edged sword. It has enabled us to achieve incredible things and, as we have seen with Web3, it has enabled communities from around the world to connect and form ideas and resources that can be shared more effectively and directly. But at the same time, technology has disconnected us from certain things and made us more lazy. Maybe before, people put more effort into certain things that we now just take for granted.

How do you think Web3 has changed the game for artists?

You are able to put your art in front of collectors all over the world and people don’t care where you have shown, who you are or where you are from. It’s all about the art and how it touches people. It’s harder to make a living from your art when you don’t have the right connections. This allows anyone to do it.

What do you think is the biggest misconception about NFTs and blockchain technology?

Many people assume that this is just speculation and that it is about making money very quickly and that the same people are getting richer and richer every day. And while it’s true that many of the same people are getting richer, blockchain technology is an enabler of so many more things we can do as individuals in the long term. Another misconception is that all this is made only for boys.

Where in the world, and doing what activity, are you happiest?

I love cooking with my mum – it’s like therapy. Or being in the desert at night, looking at the grandeur of the sky and sharing a meal with my husband, friends or family members.

Hair and make-up by Julia Krämer.