Workshop: Breaking the Mould: Sculpture by Women since 1945

Thursday 15 April 2021, 17.40 - 18.20

This informal workshop will provide an early opportunity to gain insight into the forthcoming Arts Council Collection touring exhibition, Breaking the Mould: Sculpture by Women since 1945 before it launches to the public in May. Spanning seventy-five years and exploring the work of fifty sculptors, Breaking the Mould is the first extensive survey of post-war British sculpture by women in a public institution. The workshop will begin with an introduction to the exhibition by Natalie Rudd, Senior Curator of the Arts Council Collection. She will be joined by Bianca Chu, independent curator, consultant and representative of the Kim Lim Estate, Dr Abi Shapiro, Assistant Curator at The Hepworth Wakefield, and Dr Sarah Turner, Deputy Director for Research at the Paul Mellon Centre, and the co-writer and co-presenter of the Sculpting Lives podcast series. Together, they will explore the subject of women working in sculpture through an examination of three key works. This structure will enable intersectional and intergenerational narratives to emerge alongside the consideration of specific contexts, emerging networks, obstacles and opportunities. The session will use the context of the Arts Council Collection as a starting point for wider reflection upon issues of collecting, institutional patronage and market forces. The conversation will be inquisitive and exploratory, uncovering areas of potential future enquiry and open to audience contributions. The session occupies the Fringe slot directly following this day session chaired by Shapiro and Turner: Female Art Dealers

This workshop will be accessible via the virtual platform

Image credit: Kim Lim, Samurai, 1961. Arts Council Collection, Southbank Centre, London © Estate of Kim Lim. All Rights Reserved, DACS/Artimage 2021