'Making an Exhibition of Herself' - Women, Art and Birmingham, 1860-1920

Owen, Katy (2023). 'Making an Exhibition of Herself' - Women, Art and Birmingham, 1860-1920. University of Birmingham. Ph.D.

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Abstract

This thesis examines the significant contribution of women to Birmingham’s art culture between 1860 and 1920. It studies the activities of more than fifty women and demonstrates the extensive range of their art world experiences with priority given to those who have not previously received sustained scholarly attention. Most of the case study women were artists and their considerable involvement in the key areas of art education, art making, art exhibition and the art market form the basis of the first four chapters. The important contribution of non-artist women is considered for the first time in the fifth chapter on sociability and philanthropy. Birmingham women artists developed their professional art careers via a range of activities such as personal and professional networking, collaborative making, memberships to art societies and international travel. Sometimes their activities conformed to gendered societal expectations and other times challenged them. As award-winning art students, they played a vital role in the prominent reputation of Birmingham’s School of Art. As professional artists, they created art works in a wide variety of media, exhibiting and marketing them extensively to generate sales. This thesis also considers the participation of Birmingham women artists in national and international art worlds. It includes examples of women from outside Birmingham, some of them famous artists, participating in Birmingham’s art world. This examination of women in Birmingham’s art world provides an important new contribution to our knowledge of the history of art education, women’s professional work and social art history of Birmingham.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Doctorates > Ph.D.)

Award Type:

Doctorates > Ph.D.

Supervisor(s):