The Wick List

Viewing BIG WOMEN

The Wick Culture - Yoko Brown, Untitled 2022, Tana Lawn cotton, Credit: © Yoko Brown.

Above Yoko Brown, Untitled 2022, Tana Lawn cotton, Credit: © Yoko Brown.

The Wick Culture - Vanessa Fristedt, still details: BRITISH ARTISTS IN ROME, ITALY, 1996 Gavin Turk, Gary Hume, Sam Taylor-Wood, Jay Jopling, Cerith Wyn-Evans, Gigi Gianuzzi, Fransesca Amfitheatrof. Vanessa Fristedt features in Sam Taylor-Wood’s film KNACKERED courtesy White Cube. VANESSA’S ART DIARIES 1993 – 2007: A personal glimpse into the British art scene and its creative spirit, shot with her Hi8 camcorder. By Swedish Vanessa. 2023, Credit: © Vanessa Fristedt, courtesy The Artist. Edited by Phil Smith and Vanessa Fristedt

Above Vanessa Fristedt, still details: BRITISH ARTISTS IN ROME, ITALY, 1996 Gavin Turk, Gary Hume, Sam Taylor-Wood, Jay Jopling, Cerith Wyn-Evans, Gigi Gianuzzi, Fransesca Amfitheatrof. Vanessa Fristedt features in Sam Taylor-Wood’s film KNACKERED courtesy White Cube. VANESSA’S ART DIARIES 1993 – 2007: A personal glimpse into the British art scene and its creative spirit, shot with her Hi8 camcorder. By Swedish Vanessa. 2023, Credit: © Vanessa Fristedt, courtesy The Artist. Edited by Phil Smith and Vanessa Fristedt

The Wick Culture - Georgina Starr, The History of Sculpture (Head-standing) 2013, Credit: © Georgina Starr, Courtesy the artist.

Above Georgina Starr, The History of Sculpture (Head-standing) 2013, Credit: © Georgina Starr, Courtesy the artist.

The Wick Culture - Renata Adela, Lilith I - Hammerhead Venus, 2018, wax and steel, 38 x 22 x 22 cm / 15 x 8 ⅝ x 8 ⅝ in, Credit: © Renata Adela, courtesy The Artist.

Above Renata Adela, Lilith I – Hammerhead Venus, 2018, wax and steel, 38 x 22 x 22 cm / 15 x 8 ⅝ x 8 ⅝ in, Credit: © Renata Adela, courtesy The Artist.

The Wick Culture - Sarah Lucas, Yellow Chair Hair, 2022, Credit: © Sarah Lucas.

Above Sarah Lucas, Yellow Chair Hair, 2022, Credit: © Sarah Lucas.

The Wick Culture - Gillian Wearing, Claudia and Me, 2009, digital c-type print, Credit: © Gillian Wearing, courtesy The Artist and Maureen Paley, London.

Above Gillian Wearing, Claudia and Me, 2009, digital c-type print, Credit: © Gillian Wearing, courtesy The Artist and Maureen Paley, London.

Above Yoko Brown, Untitled 2022, Tana Lawn cotton, Credit: © Yoko Brown.

Above Georgina Starr, The History of Sculpture (Head-standing) 2013, Credit: © Georgina Starr, Courtesy the artist.

Above Renata Adela, Lilith I – Hammerhead Venus, 2018, wax and steel, 38 x 22 x 22 cm / 15 x 8 ⅝ x 8 ⅝ in, Credit: © Renata Adela, courtesy The Artist.

Above Sarah Lucas, Yellow Chair Hair, 2022, Credit: © Sarah Lucas.

Above Gillian Wearing, Claudia and Me, 2009, digital c-type print, Credit: © Gillian Wearing, courtesy The Artist and Maureen Paley, London.

BIG WOMEN
Firstsite, Colchester

11 February – 18 June 2023
firstsite.uk/event/big-women/

Firstsite Colchester lands with a blockbuster – BIG WOMEN curated by one of Britain’s most celebrated artists, Sarah Lucas (YBA) – and we can guarantee it’s going to be BIG.

Under Lucas’ curatorial eye, the Colchester gallery led by Sally Shaw MBE will showcase work by leading female artists across sculpture, painting, film and fashion: Renata Adela, Erica Åkerlund, Fiona Banner aka The Vanity Press, Kate Boxer, Yoko Brown, Angela Bulloch, Phillippa Clayden, Sonia Coode-Adams, Vanessa Fristedt, Maggi Hambling, Pam Hogg, Rachel Howard, Merilyn Humphreys, Patricia Jordan, Princess Julia, Abigail Lane, Tory Lawrence, Millie Laws, Polly Morgan, Clare Palmier, Georgina Starr, Milly Thompson, Gillian Wearing, Sue Webster, and Lucas herself.

The exhibition promises a wealth of diverse artworks to enjoy – from women who all celebrate the freedom of expression in their work. The seed BIG WOMEN was planted when Lucas took a trip to Venice with her friend, fellow artist Kate Boxer, in 2017. As Sarah explains: “I can’t put an exact age on when we stop being ‘Miss or ‘Señorita’ and start being ‘Madam’, or ‘Señora’, but by the time you’re in your mid-fifties you’ve definitely arrived.”

People of a certain vintage may recognise the show’s title, as it is inspired by a popular TV drama made in the 1990’s. Big Women followed the progress of a group of feminists during the 1970’s, after they established a book publishing company. The television show was itself based on Fay Weldon’s novel, Praxis.

A celebration of fierce feminism, expertise and achievements in the creative industries, Lucas explores the greatness of older women in an ageist society. The exhibition takes viewers on a feast for the eyes and down multiple human experiences – strength, imagination, motherhood and menopause.

The Wick prescription for anyone worried about ageing. You’ll be wishing for the years to pass.