Exploring two decades of British feminist art: Women in Revolt! opens at Tate Britain
Exploring artistic responses to a changing era, the exhibition showcases the works of UK female artists between 1970 and 1990
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The late 20th century witnessed a dramatic evolution of the relationship between women, work, and the domestic sphere. It was during this time that a rising number of British feminist artists started incorporating related themes into their work, expressing defiance of traditional female societal roles, voicing discontent with expectations of domestic labour, and exploring the social and political implications of child-rearing.
On Wednesday, the Tate Britain opens Women in Revolt!, a landmark exhibition of feminist art in the UK from 1970 to 1990. Showcasing work by over 100 UK-based female artists and collectives, the exhibition explores how interconnected networks of women used radical ideas and rebellious methods to make an invaluable contribution to British culture.
Examining creative practice forged against this backdrop of extreme social, economic, and political change, the show features well-known artists – including Sonia Boyce, Susan Hiller, Chila Kumari Singh Burman and Lindner – as well as many women, who despite long careers, have been largely left outside the artistic narratives of the time.
Organised in chronological order and encompassing a diverse range of mixed media, such as painting, drawing, photography, textiles, printmaking, film, and sculpture, the exhibition opens with the first women’s liberation conference in the UK, Miss World protests and the formation of the Brixton Black Women’s Group.
The exhibition also delves into the influence of female artists who participated in key movements such as the BLK Art Group and the advocacy group and archive Panchayat, highlighting their role in the first National Black Art Convention in 1982. Featured in this context are artworks by prominent figures, including Lubaina Himid, Sutapa Biswas, Claudette Johnson, Pratibha Parmar and Rita Keegan.
Protests led by women are a central theme throughout the show. Banners, posters, and journals from the Greenham Common and Section 28 protests, as well as anti-racism and Aids campaigns, are on display.
The exhibition concludes with works created towards the end of the Thatcher administration, focusing on women’s response to Section 28, the visibility of lesbian communities and the Aids epidemic. The featured artists include Del LaGrace Volcano, Tessa Boffin and Jill Posener.
Women in Revolt! will be on show at Tate Britain from 8 November to 7 April. Tickets are available here
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments