North Sea Woman is the art exhibition that you need to check out
Women’s stories about the sea are often untold… until now
By Sophie Swift
As women’s stories of the sea are often untold, The Old School Gallery has created a new collection of art to finally share the narrative of the North Sea Woman.
Whether it’s tales of women dressing as men to join a seafaring crew, the grieving widows of lost sailors or the working wives of fishermen, mending, combing, and working on the shore, all the women portrayed in this exhibition had lives that were shaped by the sea.
There’s a wonderfully rich history of mysticism and supernatural power associated with both the sea and with female-led traditions, and The Old School Gallery’s exhibition brings them together perfectly. Each often depicted as seductive, strong, enticing and dangerous, North Sea Woman unpicks the threads of these traditional narratives to discover just how the sea – here in the North East, at least – inspires and connects women in art and in life.
We all know by now that women’s artwork has historically been left behind and undocumented, which is yet another reason we are beyond here for a local exhibition that serves as a culmination of women’s art.
Including beach combers, swimmers, seabirds, and mermaids, there’s a wonderful range of work to view here that is also available to buy. All produced by some of the leading female artists in the country – including Brita Granstrom, Ruth Murray (who recently won the prestigious Jackson’s Painting Prize), Angie Lewin and Clare Fletcher.
North Sea Woman opened on Monday and runs until 21st May.
To find out more, visit The Old School Gallery’s website, Facebook page or Instagram
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