Express & Star

Women in the frame as new exhibition opens in Wolverhampton

An exhibition exploring how women are represented in Victorian pieces of art has opened in the Black Country.

Published
Tess Radcliffe with the new Painted Ladies exhibition.

The Painted Ladies exhibition, which displays 20th century paintings, sculpture and works by both male and female artists, opened at Wolverhampton Art Gallery and will run until September 1.

Works from artists, including Emma Bolland, Dorette Outlaw and Alfred Egerton Cooper, are on display along with other pieces that haven't been shown for years.

The exhibition invites visitors to think about the ways female and male artists represent women in art – with their thoughts and opinions put on a board,

The display is part a collaboration between Wolverhampton Art Gallery and the University of Birmingham, curated by Rafailia Thiraiou, MA student in Art History and Curating.

Tess Radcliffe, curatorial and learning manager at the museum, said: "It's featuring many paintings, drawings and sculpture from the art gallery's collection.

"All parts of were created in the 20th century. It was carried by out by one of our university placement students – a post-grad student called Rafailia Thiraiou.

On the placement, students curate an exhibition. She's looking at how we are representing women in art and she was interested in the different ways of how men and women paint.

"She wanted the visitors to be part of that process and so she's actively seeking their comments to be displayed on the board.

"I think socially, it's important to give young people a chance and I think it's important to show different parts of the collection so the public can see it.

"It features really pleasing pieces of art.

"It's really good what the student has done by engaging with the visitors."