‘Women in Revolt! Art and Activism in the UK 1970-1990 is a landmark exhibition at Tate Britain of feminist art in the UK from 1970 to 1990. 

The exhibition explores how interconnected networks of women used radical ideas and rebellious methods to make an invaluable contribution to British culture. Showcasing work by over 100 women artists and collectives living and working in the UK, this will be the first major survey of its kind.

Painting, drawing, photography, textiles, printmaking, film, sculpture, and archival materials will be brought together to map a landscape of creative practice forged against a backdrop of extreme social, economic, and political change. As well as celebrating the work of well-known artists such as Sonia Boyce, Susan Hiller and Linder, Women in Revolt! will platform many women, who despite long careers, have been largely left outside the artistic narratives of the time.

RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey was joined in the gallery spaces of Tate Britain by Hannah Marsh, Assistant Curator of ‘Women in Revolt!’ to find out more about the women Artists and collectives featured in the exhibition and more about there work too. 

Toby began by asking Hannah why this 20 year period of work by many women artist and collectives is so important and how there work gives us a unique view point on what was happening in the UK at the time which was maybe not widely seen by us all through the media and news bulletins of the day. 

Toby and Hannah then went on to discussed more about some of the work on display in Women in Revolt!, how the work may have been influenced by other women in culture, music and fashion at the time. Then to highlighting a couple of rooms in the exhibition that people should definitely see before talking about whether there is more visibility and opportunities today for women artists in the art world, museums and galleries.

Women in Revolt! continues at Tate Britain until 4 April 2024 and audio described guided tours lead by one of Tate’s Visitor Engagement Assistants can be booked by either emailing [email protected] or calling 020 7887 8888 

More details about the ‘Women in Revolt!’ exhibition ‘at Tate Britain   can be found by visiting the following pages of the Tate website- https://www.tate.org.uk/whats-on/tate-britain/women-in-revolt

Image shows Gina Birch, still from 3 Minute Scream, 1977. A close up of Gina Birch, a white woman with blonde hair and red lipstick screaming and looking into the camera.