The art world has long been a male-dominated arena, but a new collaborative exhibition is shedding light on the incredible female artists who have been overlooked for too long. The show, titled 'Making Her Mark', is a joint effort between Penlee House in Cornwall, Worcester City Art Gallery and Museum, and Kirkcaldy Galleries in Scotland, bringing together over 20 works by some of Britain's most talented women artists. This initiative is part of the Art Fund's £5 million 'Going Places' program, which aims to celebrate and share collections across the UK's four nations.
One of the key themes of the exhibition is the historical exclusion of women from art schools and the barriers they have faced. For instance, the painting 'Portrait of Eileen Mayo' by Dod Procter reflects this, as women were restricted from life classes and often had to paint each other in private. This highlights the challenges female artists have faced in their pursuit of creative expression.
The exhibition also showcases the work of Barbara Hepworth, a renowned artist who had a studio in Cornwall. However, Penlee House has no works by her in its collection, and it is thrilling to be able to display one of her pieces from Worcester's collection. This highlights the importance of collaboration and the opportunity to share and celebrate diverse artistic voices.
Another key work is 'Features, Fingers, Foot' by Scottish artist Lys Hansen, which depicts the artist's son clinging and smothering her, representing the rage she felt at being steered towards domesticity. This piece is a powerful reminder of the personal struggles faced by many women artists throughout history.
The collaboration between the three galleries has also prompted them to re-evaluate their collecting policies. Gracie Divall, the program lead for 'Going Places', noted that the project has encouraged organizations to think about their practices and foster new relationships across the country. This is a crucial step towards a more inclusive and diverse art world.
However, the challenges of putting together such a collaborative show are not without their hurdles. For instance, a tapestry by Imogen Bright Moon, provided by Worcester, turned out to be much bigger than anticipated, requiring creative solutions to find a suitable place for it in the exhibition. Despite these obstacles, the project has been a success, and the three galleries have formed a strong bond.
The exhibition also includes a creative element, encouraging people to create their own art. In Penzance, artist Kate Turner worked with care-experienced young people to produce a protest banner in response to the themes explored in the show. This highlights the power of art to inspire and engage, and the importance of providing opportunities for all to express themselves creatively.
In conclusion, 'Making Her Mark' is a significant step towards recognizing and celebrating the contributions of female artists. It is a powerful reminder of the historical barriers faced by women in the art world and the ongoing challenges they continue to face. By bringing together diverse artistic voices and fostering collaboration, this exhibition is helping to create a more inclusive and inspiring art scene. As Kate Turner noted, 'There's still lots to talk about' when it comes to gender equality in the arts, and this exhibition is a crucial conversation starter.
