Women artists have been overlooked throughout history. Although steps are being taken to redress this imbalance, women remain underrepresented in collections and sometimes it can be difficult to find their works or even to know where to start looking. There are thousands of women artists represented on Art UK, and to give you a place to start exploring their works we have created 26 Curations of women artists, divided up by surname A-Z. The set of Curations contains works by 1,000 female artists in total. You won't find the likes of Frida Kahlo or Hilma af Klint as their works are not in UK public collections (yet), but you will find a wealth of art from works by Eileen Agar to Doris Zinkeisen – and plenty more in between.

13 artworks
  • Madge Oliver (1874–1924)

    Interior, Pierrefroide c.1920–4
    Madge Oliver (1874–1924)
    Oil on canvas
    H 55.2 x W 46.4 cm
    Tate
    Interior, Pierrefroide
    Image credit: Tate

  • Toyin Ojih Odutola (b.1985)

    'Sadie' (Zadie Smith) 2018–2019
    Toyin Ojih Odutola (b.1985)
    Pastel, charcoal, pencil & graphite on paper
    H 22.4 x W 10.7 cm
    National Portrait Gallery, London
    'Sadie' (Zadie Smith)
    © the artist. Image credit: National Portrait Gallery, London

  • Beatrice Offor (1864–1920)

    The Love Potion 1890–1893
    Beatrice Offor (1864–1920)
    Oil on canvas
    H 101 x W 202 cm
    Bruce Castle Museum (Haringey Archive and Museum Service)
    The Love Potion
    Image credit: Bruce Castle Museum (Haringey Archive and Museum Service)

  • Elizabeth Ogilvie (b.1946)

    Sea Papers 1987
    Elizabeth Ogilvie (b.1946)
    Charcoal & graphite on handmade paper
    H 244 x W 61 cm
    Aberdeen Art Gallery & Museums
    Sea Papers
    © the artist. Image credit: Aberdeen Art Gallery & Museums

  • Katherine Ogilvy

    Dutch Street Scene 1930s
    Katherine Ogilvy
    Oil on linen laid on board
    H 60.3 x W 70.8 cm
    Edinburgh College of Art (University of Edinburgh)
    Dutch Street Scene
    © the copyright holder. Image credit: Edinburgh College of Art (University of Edinburgh)

  • Kate Elizabeth Olver (1881–1960)

    Musicians 1936
    Kate Elizabeth Olver (1881–1960)
    Oil on cardboard
    H 75 x W 74.5 cm
    Ferens Art Gallery
    Musicians
    © Ferens Art Gallery. Image credit: Ferens Art Gallery

  • Mary O'Neill (1892–1987)

    Kate O'Brien 1936
    Mary O'Neill (1892–1987)
    Oil on canvas
    H 50.8 x W 40.6 cm
    National Portrait Gallery, London
    Kate O'Brien
    © National Portrait Gallery, London. Image credit: National Portrait Gallery, London

  • Yoko Ono (b.1933)

    All White Chess Set 1962–1970
    Yoko Ono (b.1933)
    Acrylic & wood
    H 6 x W 18 x D 26 cm
    Arts Council Collection, Southbank Centre
    All White Chess Set
    © Yoko Ono, courtesy Galerie Lelong & Co., New York. Image credit: Arts Council Collection, Southbank Centre, London

  • Maria van Oosterwyck (1630–1693)

    A Vase of Flowers
    Maria van Oosterwyck (1630–1693)
    Oil on canvas
    H 62.8 x W 53.3 cm
    The Fitzwilliam Museum
    A Vase of Flowers
    Image credit: The Fitzwilliam Museum

  • Rebecca Dulcibella Orpen (1830–1923)

    Self Portrait in the Painting Room at Baddesley Clinton 1885
    Rebecca Dulcibella Orpen (1830–1923)
    Oil on canvas
    H 91.5 x W 80 cm
    National Trust, Baddesley Clinton
    Self Portrait in the Painting Room at Baddesley Clinton
    Image credit: National Trust Images

  • Emily Mary Osborn (1828–1925)

    Nameless and Friendless. "The rich man's wealth is his strong city, etc." - Proverbs, x, 15 1857
    Emily Mary Osborn (1828–1925)
    Oil on canvas
    H 82.5 x W 103.8 cm
    Tate
    Nameless and Friendless.
    Image credit: Tate

  • Catherine Ouless (1879–1961)

    Major-General Charles George Gordon (1833–1885) 1948
    Catherine Ouless (1879–1961)
    Oil on canvas
    H 118 x W 82 cm
    Royal Engineers Museum, Library and Archive, Gillingham
    Major-General Charles George Gordon (1833–1885)
    © the artist's estate. Image credit: Royal Engineers Museum, Library and Archive, Gillingham

  • Thérèse Oulton (b.1953)

    Midas Vein 1984
    Thérèse Oulton (b.1953)
    Oil on canvas
    H 274 x W 225.4 cm
    University of Warwick
    Midas Vein
    © the artist. Image credit: University of Warwick