A groundbreaking collaboration between three regional galleries across the UK is set to shine a much-needed spotlight on the work of female artists, challenging the historical dominance of male creators in museum collections.
Making Her Mark: A Collaborative Exhibition
Starting this week, visitors to Penlee House in Penzance, Cornwall, will be able to view an exhibition titled Making Her Mark, which features over 60 works by some of Britain's most celebrated female artists. The show is a joint effort between Penlee House, Worcester City Art Gallery and Museum, and Kirkcaldy Galleries in Fife, Scotland.
Among the highlights is a striking piece by Tracey Emin, positioned prominently above a marble fireplace, alongside works by Barbara Hepworth, Laura Knight, Elizabeth Forbes, and Gillian Ayres. The exhibition also includes a tapestry by Romani textile artist Imogen Bright Moon and a piece by Scottish artist Lys Hansen.
Addressing Historical Imbalances
Katie Herbert, curator at Penlee House, explained that the collaboration was inspired by a shared recognition of the underrepresentation of women in their collections. "We do have some women artists in our collections, but not as many as maybe we should," she said. The exhibition explores the barriers women have faced in the art world, including limited access to art schools and life classes.
One painting on display, Portrait of Eileen Mayo by Dod Procter, reflects this struggle. Procter and Mayo studied art together but were restricted from life classes, so they painted each other in private. "They used each other as models," Herbert noted.
Part of a Larger Programme
Making Her Mark is the first exhibition to open as part of the Art Fund's £5 million Going Places programme, which brings together 20 museums across the UK's four nations to share and celebrate their collections over the next five years. Gracie Divall, programme lead for Going Places, said the collaboration has prompted the three organisations to rethink their collecting policies. "It's exciting that new relationships are being forged across the country," she said.
Future exhibitions under the programme will explore themes such as heritage crafts at risk and the experience of refugees. Another strand encourages visitors to create their own art. In Penzance, artist Kate Turner worked with young people who had experienced the care system to produce a protest banner that now hangs in the gallery.
Ongoing Challenges for Female Artists
Turner said that while representation has improved, female artists still face significant challenges. "There's still a gender pay gap for women in the arts. Misogyny can still be very present in wider society," she said. "I think there's still lots to talk about."
The exhibition will remain in Penzance until autumn before moving to Worcestershire and Fife next year.
