WOMEN WAR ARTISTS
FROM THE 11TH CENTURY TO THE PRESENT DAY
This lecture will look at British women who have produced art about war. It has always
been difficult in history for women to be artists, buts it’s even more difficult for them to
be a war artist. The concept of an official war artist came in the First World War and it
was only in 1982 that the first woman artist was imbedded with the troops. In World
War II women artists were also commissioned to recorded women’s contribution to the
war effort on the home front. I hope to show you a wide range of extraordinary
women’s art from embroidery, painting and sculpture. Art that reflects the time in
which the women lived and the constraints of social status and access to the theatre of
war.

Sarah Gathercole BA Hons History of Art PGCE
Graduating from Manchester University, has had a very varied career from croupier to
police officer. Then to dressage rider, judge and trainer. Re trained as a teacher. Has
been lecturing in history of art for over 25 years. Has a special interest in war art and
women artists, was the lead researcher on the Homefront heroines project for
anniversary of world war one at the Qube in Oswestry.