Female Artists Shine in Groundbreaking Gallery Show

The 'Making Her Mark' exhibition is a significant collaboration among Penlee House in Penzance, Worcester City Art Gallery and Museum, and Kirkcaldy Galleries in Fife, Scotland. This project aims to showcase the work of prominent British female artists, addressing centuries of inequality faced by women in the creative field. The exhibition features challenging pieces by Tracey Emin and vibrant works by Barbara Hepworth, alongside artists like Laura Knight, Elizabeth Forbes, and Gillian Ayres.

Originally opening in Penzance, the exhibition will tour to Worcestershire and Fife next year, offering wider audiences a chance to engage with these important collections. This initiative is the first of its kind under Art Fund's £5m Going Places programme, which supports 20 UK museums in sharing their collections over five years. The galleries united with a common aim: to confront the historical exclusion of women artists from collections and art education.

The exhibition critically examines barriers women faced, such as limited access to art schools and life-drawing classes, as exemplified by Dod Procter's 'Portrait of Eileen Mayo'. Lys Hansen's 'Features, Fingers, Foot' and a tapestry by Imogen Bright Moon are also highlighted. Beyond showcasing art, the project involved community engagement, with artist Kate Turner collaborating with young people to create protest banners inspired by the exhibition's themes, reflecting ongoing issues like the gender pay gap and misogyny in the arts.