Express & Star

Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery exhibition to celebrate 100 years of women getting the vote

Marking a century since the first women won the right to vote, a brand new exhibition is coming to Birmingham Museum andArt Gallery.

Published
An Ode to Christian Joy, 2013, Emily Sparkes © The artist. Image by Birmingham Museums Trust.

Women Power Protest brings together modern and contemporary artworks from the Arts Council Collection and Birmingham’s to celebrate female artists who have explored protest, social commentary and identity in their work.

The exhibition will showcase pieces by celebrated artists including Susan Hiller, Lubaina Himid, and Mary Kelly, as well as sometimes controversial artists such as Sam Taylor-Johnson, Sonia Boyce, and Margaret Harrison.

The Arts Council Collection National Partnership exhibition looks at the experiences of becoming and progressing as a woman amongst varying degrees of opportunity and oppression in relation to race, class, geography and sexuality.

Emalee Beddoes-Davis, curator of modern and contemporary art at Birmingham Museums Trust, said: “This exhibition acknowledges the monumental step taken for women’s rights 100 years ago, but through challenging contemporary artworks it explores some of the experiences common to being a woman in 21st century society, and the progress still to be made.

"Feminist activism continues as women across the world strive to have their voices heard and this is an ideal time to reflect and showcase these artworks in Birmingham.

“As women, not all the artists featured in this exhibition have gained the recognition they deserve.

The exhibition recognises the historic bias in collections and how we have to continue to strive to ensure female artists, and in particular those from black and minority ethnic backgrounds, are given the platform they deserve.”

Jill Constantine, director of the Arts Council Collection, said: "Representing the work of female artists in the Arts Council Collection is an important aspect of our work.

"Last year, for the first time, we acquired more work by women than men and in this important year for all women, I am delighted that our National Partner, Birmingham Museums Trust is exploring their contribution in this exhibition."

Women Power Protest comes to Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery from November 16 to 18.

For more information, click here.