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The Circus, mock-up for a book cover, c1950. Creator: Shirley Markham
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The Circus, mock-up for a book cover, c1950. Creator: Shirley Markham
The Circus, mock-up for a book cover, c1950. Illustration for " The Circus" by E Dermot Wellington. Shirley Markham (1931-1999) studied Graphic Design and Illustration at Central School of Art in London from 1950-1952. The writer, artist, poet, and illustrator Mervyn Peake (1911-1968) was one of her tutors, and her style of drawing was also influenced by other British illustrators such as Edward Ardizzone, Quentin Blake and Edward Bawden. Markham spent time in the Dolomite Mountains in Italy, and also visited Rome, sketching classical buildings. After graduating from Central, she worked as a graphic designer, producing book illustrations, cartoons for comics, menus and programmes. She gave up her promising career however when she got married in 1957. Middle-class women at that time were expected to devote their energies to bringing up children and running the home, and despite her obvious talent, she lacked the confidence to return to illustration. Her portfolio remained in the family attic for many years, but now her work is published here for the first time
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Media ID 18265967
© Shirley Markham Collection / Heritage-Images
1950s Acrobat Acrobats Book Cover Circus Clown Clowns Elephant Entertainer Fifties Lion Markham Performers Retro Shirley Shirley Jane Shirley Jane Markham Shirley Markham Shirley Waite Waite Gouache Graphic Design
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This print showcases a mock-up for the book cover of "The Circus" created by Shirley Markham in approximately 1950. Markham, a talented artist and illustrator, studied Graphic Design and Illustration at London's Central School of Art from 1950 to 1952. During her time there, she had the privilege of being taught by renowned writer, artist, poet, and illustrator Mervyn Peake. Markham's artistic style was greatly influenced by notable British illustrators like Edward Ardizzone, Quentin Blake, and Edward Bawden. Her love for classical architecture is evident in her sketches of Rome's iconic buildings after visiting Italy's Dolomite Mountains. After graduating from Central School of Art, Markham embarked on a successful career as a graphic designer. She worked on various projects including book illustrations, comic cartoons, menus, and programs. However promising her professional journey seemed to be at that time; societal expectations forced her to abandon it when she married in 1957. Despite possessing undeniable talent as an artist and illustrator, Markham lacked the confidence to return to her passion due to prevailing social norms that dictated middle-class women should focus solely on raising children and managing their households. Consequently, her remarkable portfolio remained hidden away in the family attic for many years until now when it is finally published for all to appreciate. This print serves as both a testament to Shirley Markham's exceptional skills as an artist and an unfortunate reminder of how gender roles can hinder even the most talented individuals from pursuing their dreams fully
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