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Seated woman reading, 1953. Creator: Shirley Markham
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Seated woman reading, 1953. Creator: Shirley Markham
Seated woman reading, 1953. 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 18266273
© Shirley Markham Collection / Heritage-Images
1950s Fifties Markham Shirley Shirley Jane Shirley Jane Markham Shirley Markham Shirley Waite Waite
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This print titled "Seated woman reading, 1953" showcases the talent and potential of artist Shirley Markham. Trained in Graphic Design and Illustration at London's Central School of Art, Markham was fortunate to have Mervyn Peake, a renowned writer, artist, poet, and illustrator as one of her tutors. Her artistic style also drew inspiration from other British illustrators such as Edward Ardizzone, Quentin Blake, and Edward Bawden. During her time in Italy's Dolomite Mountains and Rome, Markham sketched classical buildings which further enriched her creative repertoire. After graduating from Central School of Art, she embarked on a successful career as a graphic designer producing book illustrations, comics cartoons menus, and programmes. However promising her career may have been though when she married in 1957 societal expectations for middle-class women dictated that they focus their energies on raising children and managing household affairs. Sadly lacking confidence to return to illustration despite her undeniable talent; she chose to abandon her professional aspirations. For years following this decision Markham's portfolio remained hidden away in the family attic until now. Today we are privileged to witness the publication of her work for the first time through this remarkable print capturing a seated woman engrossed in reading. Let us celebrate Shirley Markham's artistic legacy that has finally emerged from obscurity shedding light on an extraordinary talent silenced by societal norms
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