The Women's Art Collection facts for kids

Naomi Press's Improvisation with the dome at Murray Edwards College behind

The Women's Art Collection Curator Harriet Loffler describing Rose Garrard's Models Triptych: Madonna Cascade

The Women's Art Collection is a special collection of modern and contemporary art. All the artworks in this collection are made by women artists. It is located at Murray Edwards College, Cambridge in England. Before 2022, it was known as the New Hall Art Collection.

This collection has more than 600 artworks. It is now one of the biggest and most important collections of art by women in the world. You can see paintings, prints, and sculptures all around Murray Edwards College. The college does not have a separate art gallery. Instead, the art is displayed throughout its buildings and gardens. The college buildings were finished in 1965. They are famous for their modern design. Many artworks are open for visitors to see. You can even get a self-guided tour map from the Porters' Lodge.

The main goal of the Women’s Art Collection is to celebrate women artists. It aims to make their work visible and give them a voice. It also promotes their art within a college that supports gender equality.

History of the Collection

The Women's Art Collection has grown thanks to many gifts. Artists and supporters have donated or loaned artworks. The collection began in 1986. This was when the college bought Extase by Mary Kelly. She was an artist who stayed at the college. This first purchase sparked an idea. The college hoped to build a permanent collection of art by women from the 20th century. This art would inspire the female students living there.

In 1992, Valerie Pearl was the President of New Hall. She wrote to 100 leading women artists in Britain. About 75 of them generously donated artworks. The collection continues to grow with gifts and loans from artists and former students. It is the largest collection of art by women in Europe. About 95 percent of the artworks are always on display.

In March 2018, the collection received special recognition. Arts Council England officially approved it. This showed the high quality of the collection. It also proved how professionally it was managed. The collection was called the New Hall Art Collection until April 2022. This was because the college itself was called New Hall before 2008.

Artists in the Collection

Barbara Hepworth's Ascending Form (Gloria) at Murray Edwards College

The collection features works by many famous artists. Some of these talented women include:

• Sandra Blow
• Judy Chicago
• Tracey Emin
• Mary Fedden
• Oona Grimes
• Maggi Hambling
• Lubaina Himid
• Susie Hamilton
• Barbara Hepworth
• Nicola Hicks
• Vanessa Jackson
• Lucy Jones
• Zelda Nolte
• Cornelia Parker
• Emily Patrick
• Gwen Raverat
• Paula Rego
• Julia Sorrell
• Wendy Taylor

A Discussion About Art

A Woman Prepares (far left) and other paintings hung over high table

In 2005, a painting by Maggi Hambling caused some discussion. The painting, called A Woman Prepares, was made in 1986. It shows a woman in a headscarf holding a weapon. During a private event for the US military, an officer asked for the painting to be covered. Maggi Hambling was very upset that her art was hidden. Students and teachers at the college held a peaceful protest. They did this during speeches after dinner.

See also

• List of 20th century women artists