Showcasing new acquisitions to our Folk Art collection, these pieces illuminate the crucial, yet often overlooked, role of artistic and craft practices during the women’s suffrage movement.
Displaying pieces from a pivotal movement in the fight to gain more rights for women in the UK, this instalment demonstrates the role of art and creativity within these political campaigns.
Starting in the 19th century, the suffrage movement fought for a woman’s right to vote in the UK, and despite women over 30 being granted the right to vote in 1918, they were still not granted equal rights until 1928 when women over 21 were also granted the same right.
A key party in this movement were the Women’s Social and Political Union, founded by Emmeline Pankhurst, who were known for their more radical approach to protesting and their motto of ‘Deeds not Words’, which has informed the title of this display.
As part of their efforts, the Suffragettes, used art as a method of spreading their messages and gaining supporters of the movement, from self-taught makers crafting rosettes to proudly wear, to over 100 trained artists who channelled their creativity into creating a compelling visual story that fuelled the campaign.
On the other hand, those who were not sympathetic created pieces satirising the movement and its efforts.
This display explores how some popular, and possibly familiar to us now, art objects were created for and influenced by this movement. From home ceramics to the emblems of their parties, to a rare children’s book, this is a fascinating look into how the movement was portrayed through various mediums.
