University of Nottingham: Exhibition spotlights women’s sculpture in the story of modern British art
A unique exhibition of sculptures by a diverse range of women artists now on show in Nottingham is aiming to redefine British Sculpture in the post-war era.
Breaking the Mould is a free-to-attend Arts Council Collection Touring Exhibition at the Djanogly Gallery, Lakeside Arts on University Park in Nottingham until Sunday 9th January 2022.
With work from fifty women sculptors spanning more than 70 years, the exhibition explores the enormous contributions made by women to the field of modern and contemporary sculpture. It sets out to challenge the many accounts of British sculpture that have often marginalised women or even airbrushed their work out of the art historical canon altogether.
L-R: Icon, 1957 by Barbara Hepworth; Eriabo Part of Audience and Iriabo and Child Part of Audience, 1986 by Sokari Douglas Camp; NUD CYCLADIC 7, 2010 by Sarah Lucas.
The fifty pieces on show range from sculpture to installation art using a wide range of materials including human hair, ceramic, paper, flowers and nylon tights.
The inspiration for the show was to challenge and change perceptions by the global art market, critics, and the viewing public that sculpture is traditionally a male occupation – a heroic wrestling match between the artist and heavy-duty materials such as stone, wood, and bronze.
The show also raises questions about the barriers that have existed for women in the world of sculpture – such as prejudice in art schools, the costs of materials and studio space and the pressures of raising children.
A drawing by Barbara Hepworth, Reconstruction (1947), the first work by a sculptor purchased for the Collection is included in the exhibition alongside her wooden sculpture Icon (1957). Also on show is Katie Cuddon’s A Problem of Departure (2013), a ceramic sculpture of a pillow clasped between dimpled thighs; as well as Rose Finn-Kelcey’s God’s Bog (2001), a toilet cast in Jesmonite curling delicately like a seashell.
Neil Walker, Head of Visual Arts Programming, Lakeside
Head of Visual Arts Programming at Lakeside, Neil Walker, said: “Breaking the Mould is a unique exhibition in that it’s the first major survey of women’s sculpture to have taken place in this country. The Arts Council Collection has curated this fascinating selection from its 250 acquisitions of sculpture by more than 150 artists. The tour is an important milestone on the way to a greater public understanding and appreciation of the huge contribution these artists have made and are making to the diversification of what we term sculpture.”
‘Head’, Elizabeth Frink, 1959
The exhibition is arranged into three sections: Figured, Formed and Found. These broad themes enable a range of shared concerns to emerge across time, space and material. Several of the labels accompanying the works have been written by a range of contributors including fellow artists, curators and community groups. These voices highlight the need for sustained collective action to broaden representation within the field of sculpture.
Sculptor and installation artist, Permindar Kaur, at work in her studio.
‘Innocence’, Permindar Kaur
One of the exhibitors is the Nottingham-born artist Permindar Kaur – a sculpture and installation artist exhibiting internationally. Her distinctive style incorporates childhood objects and domestic spaces to explore territory and cultural identity. Permindar said:
“I’m very pleased to have my work included in this major survey exhibition of post war sculpture by women artists. It’s fascinating to see key earlier works from major figures, alongside up-and-coming early career artists. Innocence (1993) is a key seminal work of mine, marking a shift from work predominantly about culture and identity to that of the home. The child’s garment is bearing a dagger, begging the question, why would the innocent child require such means of defence.”
A Breaking the Mould Study Day on Saturday 4th December is a further opportunity for art-lovers to meet a panel of leading artists, curators and scholars who will shed light on the role of women in sculpture. The in-person event at the Djanogly Theatre between 10am and 4pm, will also be live-streamed on the Lakeside website.
Story credits
For more information, please contact Bea Lowry, Lakeside Arts [email protected] or 07713 873 639 or Emma Rayner, Media Relations Manager [email protected] or 07738 291242.
Emma Rayner – Media Relations Manager, Faculty of Arts
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Phone: 0115 748 4413
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Notes to editors:
The University of Nottingham is a research-intensive university with a proud heritage. Studying at the University of Nottingham is a life-changing experience and we pride ourselves on unlocking the potential of our students. We have a pioneering spirit, expressed in the vision of our founder Sir Jesse Boot, which has seen us lead the way in establishing campuses in China and Malaysia – part of a globally connected network of education, research and industrial engagement. Ranked 103rd out of more than 1,000 institutions globally and 18th in the UK by the QS World University Rankings 2022, the University’s state-of-the-art facilities and inclusive and disability sport provision is reflected in its crowning as The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2021 Sports University of the Year. We are ranked eighth for research power in the UK according to REF 2014. We have six beacons of research excellence helping to transform lives and change the world; we are also a major employer and industry partner – locally and globally. Alongside Nottingham Trent University, we lead the Universities for Nottingham initiative, a pioneering collaboration which brings together the combined strength and civic missions of Nottingham’s two world-class universities and is working with local communities and partners to aid recovery and renewal following the COVID-19 pandemic.