Women in Photography: A History of British Trailblazers

30 January 2019 – 2 June 2019
Opening: 29 January, 6–8pm

The Lightbox, Woking

The exhibition will feature around 70 works including Turner Prize winners and nominees and Venice Biennale exhibitors such as Helen Sear, Sam Taylor-Johnson, Hannah Collins, Gillian Wearing and Jane & Louise Wilson. The works featured will date from the mid-19th century through to 2009 and will chart progressions in style, techniques and popular subject matter. Early notable photographers include Julia Margaret Cameron, Lady Hawarden and Queen Alexandra. Works have been generously lent by many leading museums and galleries including by Her Majesty The Queen from the Royal Collection, Tate, Victoria & Albert Museum, Arts Council Collection, British Council Collection, National Portrait Gallery, Scottish National Portrait Gallery and Lee Miller Archive. The works will be presented chronologically and visitors will be transported on a whistle-stop journey of the history of female photography.

There will be five key themes running throughout this story: ‘Photographic Processes’ as demonstrated by Anna Atkins, Susan Derges and Joy Gregory. ‘Staging the Scene’ where artists create a narrative with their compositions which will be represented by artists such as Emma Barton, Eveleen Myers and Mitra Tabrizian. ‘Photo Journalism’ is a theme which starts from the early 1900s with Olive Edis through to Edith Tudor-Hart, Lee Miller, Grace Robertson and Val Wilmer. ‘Interiors and Spaces’ will reflect on women’s role and position within society and will also include some personal, often psychological responses from the artist. This will be demonstrated by photographers such as Karen Knorr, Sirkka-Liisa Konttinnen, Hannah Starkey, Jane & Louise Wilson and Sam Taylor-Johnson. ‘Race and Representation’ will explore issues of diversity and inclusion as represented by Gabriella Sancisi, Sonia Boyce, Joy Gregory, Suki Dhanda, Maud Sulter, Shirley Baker, Val Wilmer and Jane England.

Visitor Information: The Lightbox is situated in Woking (25 minutes from London Waterloo by train) and is open Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday 10.30am – 5.00pm, Thursday 10.30am – 8.30pm and Sunday 11.00am – 4.00pm. For more information please visit www.thelightbox.org.ukor call 01483 737800.