The Women’s Art Collection at Murray Edwards College, University of Cambridge, is Europe’s largest collection of art by women. It includes over 600 works by leading artists such as Barbara Hepworth, Paula Rego, Lubaina Himid, Faith Ringgold, Tracey Emin and Cindy Sherman. Founded in 1992, the Collection challenges the underrepresentation of women artists in museums and galleries. It is a celebration of women’s agency and creativity, an art historical record and a living, evolving body of art. It is displayed throughout Murray Edwards College, an iconic Brutalist building designed by Chamberlin, Powell and Bon as a manifesto for women’s education.
Art Unlocked is an online talk series by Art UK in collaboration with Bloomberg Philanthropies. This Curation is based on a talk by Naomi Polonsky, Associate Curator at The Women's Art Collection, on 8th February 2023. You can watch a recording of the talk on Art UK's YouTube channel.
Extase 1986
Mary Kelly (b.1941)
Laminated photo positive, silkscreen & acrylic on Plexiglas
H 122 x W 92 cm
The Women’s Art Collection
Phalia (Alice Walker, b.1944) 1989
Maud Sulter (1960–2008)
Cibachrome print
H 152 x W 122 cm
The Women’s Art Collection
Models Triptych: Madonna Cascade 1982
Rose Garrard (b.1946)
Fresco panel, wood & acrylic paint
H 180.5 x W 97 x D 133 cm
The Women’s Art Collection
Mum with Red Cup 1997
Marlene Rolfe (b.1946)
Oil on canvas
H 51 x W 71 cm
The Women’s Art Collection
Inês de Castro 2014
Paula Figueiroa Rego (1935–2022)
Pastel on paper
H 122 x W 145 cm
The Women’s Art Collection
Blodeuwedd 2022
Anya Paintsil (b.1993)
Acrylic, wool, alpaca & mohair, synthetic hair & human hair on hessian
H 60 x W 58 cm
The Women’s Art Collection
