Various Artists – Women in Revolt!: Underground Rebellion in British Music 1977-1985

Description

‘Women in Revolt!’ is an exhibition of work by over 100 women artists working in the UK during the 1970s and ’80s. In a first of its kind showing, it explores how women used radical ideas and rebellious methods to change the face of British culture. With music, painting, sculpture, photography, film, and performance, they forged a path for women’s liberation in the UK, against a backdrop of extreme social change. Drawing on the work and experiences of women outside the establishment and often excluded from art history, ‘Women in Revolt!’ Showcases a productive, politically engaged set of communities, who paved the way for future generations. It explores and reflects on issues and events such as: the British Women’s Liberation movement, the fight for legal changes impacting women, maternal and domestic experiences, Punk and independent music, Greenham Common and the peace movement, the visibility of Black and South Asian Women Artists, Section 28 and the AIDs pandemic. To underline this trailblazing exhibition, a compilation has been dutifully curated to further reveal the music, sound art, and prominent musicians creating during this artistic and societal paradigm shift. The music that defines and defied this era, not only soundtracked but spurred on increasingly impassioned creative output and representation for women. Bands included on the compilation like X-Ray Spex and The Slits remain front of mind for band’s espousing this robust stance both sonically and politically, with equally impactful artists included like Ludus, whose lead singer Linder Sterling also impacted the genre with her radical feminist visual artwork and music.