150th celebratory exhibition of the Society of Women Artists was officially opened by the SWA Patron Princess Michael of Kent at a private view in the Mall Galleries on the 29th June.
Over 500 works in all media - paintings, sculpture along with original prints, etchings and ceramics by professional women artists are on show in The Mall till the 9th July 2011.
A retrospective exhibition in the East Gallery is celebrating the work of prominent women artists who played an important role in the development and life of the Society, including Dame Laura Knight.
"We have come a long way since the mid 1800s when it was viewed as quite outrageous for ladies to publicly show their artwork! Our metamorphosis is now complete and this year we celebrate at the splendidly refurbished Mall Galleries," - SWA President Barbara Penketh Simpson says. "The Society, with its unique history, is constantly developing as a diverse, vital, and forward-looking organization seeking to promote talented women artists."
During the exhibition there will be an opportunity to meet artists and see informal art demonstrations by Members.
One of participating artists, Arina Gordienko (ARINA), who's striking Self Portraits in Colours can hardly be missed by exhibition visitors, shares her experience: "I am really honoured to be a part of the Society of Women Artists exhibition. I became a full member of the society in 2010.
This is the 4th time my paintings have been displayed at the Annual exhibition of the Society of Women Artists at the Mall Galleries. And I am always thrilled and I really enjoy the creative atmosphere of the event. This year’s 150th Anniversary of the Society of Women Artists was opened by HRH Princess Michael of Kent and it was particularly magnificent with a fabulous variety of genuinely talented works by women artists from all over the world."
The exhibition is open to the public from 30 June to 9 July 2011 (closing at 1pm on the final day).
The Mall Galleries, The Mall, London, SW1
