A daring and transformative exhibition, Women in Revolt! at Tate Britain is a powerful testament to the resilience, creativity and audacity of women who, throughout history, have rebelled against societal norms. The exhibition unearths a host of artistic expression, capturing a spirit of defiance that reverberates through the works of women artists across generations.
The curation is both careful and chaotic. With works arranged chronologically, Women in Revolt! unfolds as a narrative of resistance. The exhibition is a visual tapestry that weaves together the stories of women who have defied conventions, shattered glass ceilings and left an indelible mark on the art world.
The selection of works is diverse, with over 100 contributors working across painting, drawing, photography, textiles, printmaking, film, sculpture and the archive. Women in Revolt! celebrates established artists like Sonia Boyce, Linder and Chila Kumari Singh Burman alongside those previously left outside the artistic narrative, such as Poulomi Desai and Shirley Cameron. This thoughtful juxtaposition creates a dialogue that resonates with the ever-changing landscape of feminist discourse.
One, of many, standout works is Marlene Smith’s Good Housekeeping III (1985, remade 2023). The work is a painted portrait of Dorothy ‘Cherry’ Groce, with an accompanying text painted directly on the wall stating ‘it is 7am and I am not bullet proof’. The work tells the story of Groce who was shot by police during a raid of her home in Brixton, London in 1985. The event led to a number of uprisings, with an eventual apology from the Metropolitan Police in 2014. Smith’s work was originally shown in the monumental exhibition The Thin Black Line, curated by Lubaina Himid at the ICA in 1985. The remade piece, showcased once more today, reaffirms the significance of art in political discourse and its enduring impact.
Women in Revolt! leaves you with a renewed sense of the power of art as a catalyst for change. The exhibition is a celebration, an affirmation, and a challenge. It challenges us to revisit our understanding of art history, to question the narratives that have shaped our perceptions and to recognise the indomitable spirit of women who, through art, have revolted!
Women in Revolt! is open at Tate Britain until 7th April 2024, further information and tickets are available here.
Review by Amy Melling
Amy is a Curator and Creative Producer whose practice is centred around community-led arts projects. Her current research is focused on curatorial methods for exhibiting artworks outside. Amy has a keen interest in the arts and recently completed an MA in Curating and Collections at Chelsea College of Arts, UAL.
Read Amy’s latest Review: If Not Now, When? “is a call to engage, to question, to act” – Saatchi Gallery, until 22 January 2024 – Abundant Art
