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.

Artists featured in this Curation: Rachel Whiteread (b.1963), Vera Waddington (1876–1954), Annie Fearon Walke (1877–1965), Ada Hill Walker (1879–1955), Barbara Walker (b.1964), Ethel Walker (1861–1951), Hilda Annetta Walker (1877–1966), Mary Lemon Waller (1851–1931), Kathleen Walne (1915–2011), Cecile Walton (1891–1956), and 47 more
57 artworks
  • Rachel Whiteread (b.1963)

    Untitled (History) 2002
    Rachel Whiteread (b.1963)
    Plaster, polystyrene & steel
    H 129 x W 70 x D 26 cm
    Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales
    Untitled (History)
    © Rachel Whiteread, courtesy of Gagosian Gallery, London. Image credit: Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales

  • Vera Waddington (1876–1954)

    Ajmere, Rajasthan, India 1911
    Vera Waddington (1876–1954)
    Watercolour on paper
    H 60 x W 49 cm
    Bristol Museums, Galleries & Archives
    Ajmere, Rajasthan, India
    © the artist's estate. Image credit: Bristol Museums, Galleries & Archives

  • Annie Fearon Walke (1877–1965)

    Christ Mocked 1924
    Annie Fearon Walke (1877–1965)
    Oil on canvas
    H 91.5 x W 79.2 cm
    Royal Institution of Cornwall
    Christ Mocked
    © the copyright holder. Image credit: Royal Institution of Cornwall

  • Ada Hill Walker (1879–1955)

    The Lover of Green c.1930
    Ada Hill Walker (1879–1955)
    Oil on canvas
    H 57 x W 41 cm
    St Andrews Preservation Trust
    The Lover of Green
    © the copyright holder. Image credit: St Andrews Preservation Trust

  • Barbara Walker (b.1964)

    I Was There IV 2019
    Barbara Walker (b.1964)
    Pen & ink on tracing paper over digital print
    H 49 x W 39 cm
    Bristol Museums, Galleries & Archives
    I Was There IV
    © the artist. Image credit: Barbara Walker

  • Ethel Walker (1861–1951)

    Dame Ethel Walker c.1925
    Ethel Walker (1861–1951)
    Oil on canvas
    H 61.3 x W 50.8 cm
    National Portrait Gallery, London
    Dame Ethel Walker
    Image credit: National Portrait Gallery, London

  • Hilda Annetta Walker (1877–1966)

    Miss Estelle Stead 1939
    Hilda Annetta Walker (1877–1966)
    Bronze
    H 36 x W 20 x D 19 cm
    The Hepworth Wakefield
    Miss Estelle Stead
    © the copyright holder. Image credit: The Hepworth Wakefield

  • Mary Lemon Waller (1851–1931)

    Winifred Margaret Watson-Armstrong (1894–1912) c.1908
    Mary Lemon Waller (1851–1931)
    Oil on canvas
    H 185.5 x W 117 cm
    National Trust, Cragside
    Winifred Margaret Watson-Armstrong (1894–1912)
    Image credit: National Trust Images

  • Kathleen Walne (1915–2011)

    Girl with Gloves
    Kathleen Walne (1915–2011)
    Oil on canvas
    H 50 x W 38.5 cm
    Salford Museum & Art Gallery
    Girl with Gloves
    © the artist's estate. Image credit: Salford Museum & Art Gallery

  • Cecile Walton (1891–1956)

    Romance – Cecile Walton (1891–1956), with her Children Edward and Gavril 1920
    Cecile Walton (1891–1956)
    Oil on canvas
    H 100.6 x W 150.9 cm
    National Galleries of Scotland
    Romance – Cecile Walton (1891–1956), with her Children Edward and Gavril
    © the artist's estate / Bridgeman Images. Image credit: National Galleries of Scotland

  • Constance Walton (1866–1960)

    Day Dreams c.1895
    Constance Walton (1866–1960)
    Watercolour on paper
    H 52.5 x W 37.5 cm
    The Fleming Collection
    Day Dreams
    © the copyright holder. Image credit: The Fleming Collection

  • Joan Warburton (1920–1996)

    Burned School 1939
    Joan Warburton (1920–1996)
    Oil on canvas
    H 61 x W 51 cm
    Colchester and Ipswich Museums Service: Ipswich Borough Council Collection
    Burned School
    © the artist's estate / Bridgeman Images. Image credit: Bridgeman Images

  • Amy Margaret Ward (1863–1940)

    Polperro, Cornwall 1929
    Amy Margaret Ward (1863–1940)
    Oil on canvas
    H 32 x W 26.5 cm
    Leamington Spa Art Gallery & Museum
    Polperro, Cornwall
    Image credit: Leamington Spa Art Gallery & Museum

  • Grace Ward (active 1930–1958)

    Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineer Auxiliary Territorial Service Welders 1944
    Grace Ward (active 1930–1958)
    Oil on canvas
    H 46.3 x W 61.5 cm
    IWM (Imperial War Museums)
    Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineer Auxiliary Territorial Service Welders
    © the copyright holder. Image credit: IWM (Imperial War Museums)

  • Henrietta Mary Ada Ward (1832–1924)

    The Princes in the Tower 1861
    Henrietta Mary Ada Ward (1832–1924)
    Oil on canvas
    H 61 x W 54.5 cm
    Rochdale Arts & Heritage Service
    The Princes in the Tower
    Image credit: Rochdale Arts & Heritage Service

  • Lily Florence Waring (1877–1966)

    Maida
    Lily Florence Waring (1877–1966)
    Oil on canvas
    H 45 x W 60 cm
    Warrington Museum & Art Gallery
    Maida
    © the copyright holder. Image credit: Warrington Museum & Art Gallery

  • Margaret Helen Waterfield (1863–1953)

    Giant Thistle
    Margaret Helen Waterfield (1863–1953)
    Oil on canvas
    H 91.4 x W 61 cm
    University of Essex
    Giant Thistle
    Image credit: University of Essex

  • Marjory Violet Watherston (1881–1969)

    The Dispatch: The Captain's Dugout 1917
    Marjory Violet Watherston (1881–1969)
    Oil on canvas
    H 102.8 x W 127 cm
    IWM (Imperial War Museums)
    The Dispatch: The Captain's Dugout
    © IWM (Imperial War Museums). Image credit: IWM (Imperial War Museums)

  • Mary Spencer Watson (1913–2006)

    Elisha 1938
    Mary Spencer Watson (1913–2006)
    Terracotta
    Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society
    Elisha
    © the copyright holder. Image credit: Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society

  • Alison Watt (b.1965)

    Sabine 2000
    Alison Watt (b.1965)
    Oil on canvas
    H 213.5 x W 213.5 cm
    National Galleries of Scotland
    Sabine
    © the artist. Image credit: National Galleries of Scotland

  • Linnie Watt (active 1874–1908)

    St Trovaso, Venice
    Linnie Watt (active 1874–1908)
    Oil on canvas
    H 50 x W 31.8 cm
    Gregynog Hall
    St Trovaso, Venice
    Image credit: Gregynog Hall

  • Gillian Wearing (b.1963)

    Millicent Garrett Fawcett (1847–1929) 2018
    Gillian Wearing (b.1963)
    Bronze
    Millicent Garrett Fawcett (1847–1929)
    © Gillian Wearing. All rights reserved, DACS 2024. Image credit: Maarten Roes Francken / Art UK

  • Gerda Wegener (1885–1940)

    Lili Elbe (?) c.1928
    Gerda Wegener (1885–1940) (attributed to)
    Watercolour on paper (?)
    H 76.2 x W 53.8 cm
    Wellcome Collection
    Lili Elbe (?)
    Image credit: Wellcome Collection

  • Ann Wegmüller (b.1941)

    Still Life with White Goblet 1985
    Ann Wegmüller (b.1941)
    Oil on board
    H 81.5 x W 122 cm
    University of Dundee, Duncan of Jordanstone College Collection
    Still Life with White Goblet
    © the artist. Image credit: University of Dundee, Duncan of Jordanstone College Collection

  • Hanna Weil (1921–2011)

    Dark Afternoon, Transylvania, Romania c.1962
    Hanna Weil (1921–2011)
    Oil on board
    H 69 x W 106.5 cm
    Rugby Art Gallery and Museum Art Collections
    Dark Afternoon, Transylvania, Romania
    © the copyright holder. Image credit: Rugby Art Gallery and Museum Art Collections

  • Joanna Mary Wells (1831–1861)

    Fanny Eaton (1835–1924) 1861
    Joanna Mary Wells (1831–1861)
    Oil on paper laid to linen
    H 17.1 x W 13.7 cm
    Yale Center for British Art

  • Alice Moore West (1910–1997)

    Herbert*
    Alice Moore West (1910–1997)
    Oil on canvas
    H 76.8 x W 51.2 cm
    St Albans Museums
    Herbert*
    © the copyright holder. Image credit: St Albans Museums

  • Alice Westlake (1840–1923)

    John Westlake c.1896–1897
    Alice Westlake (1840–1923)
    Oil on panel
    H 33.7 x W 26 cm
    National Portrait Gallery, London
    John Westlake
    Image credit: National Portrait Gallery, London

  • Edith Grace Wheatley (1881–1970)

    The Tyre Mill 1940–1944
    Edith Grace Wheatley (1881–1970)
    Oil on canvas
    H 87.5 x W 113 cm
    Science Museum

  • Muriel (Lady) Wheeler (1888–1979)

    Sir Charles Thomas Wheeler (1892–1974) 1931
    Muriel (Lady) Wheeler (1888–1979)
    Lead
    H 27 cm
    National Portrait Gallery, London
    Sir Charles Thomas Wheeler (1892–1974)
    © the copyright holder. Image credit: National Portrait Gallery, London

  • Gwen Whicker (1900–1966)

    Doors 1962
    Gwen Whicker (1900–1966)
    Oil on board
    H 45 x W 36 cm
    Falmouth Art Gallery
    Doors
    © the copyright holder. Image credit: Falmouth Art Gallery

  • Beatrix Whistler (1857–1896)

    Seated Girl in a Fur-Trimmed Cape with Crossed Hands 1886–1892
    Beatrix Whistler (1857–1896)
    Oil on panel
    H 22.4 x W 12.9 cm
    The Hunterian, University of Glasgow
    Seated Girl in a Fur-Trimmed Cape with Crossed Hands
    Image credit: The Hunterian, University of Glasgow

  • Marie Whitby (1932–2015)

    Votes for Women 1980–1999
    Marie Whitby (1932–2015)
    Ceramic
    H 20 x W 6 x D 6 cm
    Ashwell Village Museum
    Votes for Women
    © the copyright holder . Image credit: Ashwell Village Museum

  • Elizabeth Whitehead (1854–1934)

    Violets 1891
    Elizabeth Whitehead (1854–1934)
    Oil on canvas
    H 17 x W 24 cm
    Leamington Spa Art Gallery & Museum
    Violets
    Image credit: Leamington Spa Art Gallery & Museum

  • Marjory Whittington (1888–1970)

    At Appledore, Devon 1933 or before
    Marjory Whittington (1888–1970)
    Oil on canvas
    H 39.5 x W 49.8 cm
    Sheffield Museums
    At Appledore, Devon
    © the copyright holder. Image credit: Sheffield Museums

  • Alison Wilding (b.1948)

    Hand to Mouth 1986
    Alison Wilding (b.1948)
    Leaded steel, brass, wood, lead & beeswax
    H 200 x W 54 x D 55 cm
    National Galleries of Scotland
    Hand to Mouth
    © Alison Wilding 2021. All rights reserved, courtesy Karsten Schubert, London. Image credit: National Galleries of Scotland

  • Jessica Wilkes (1948–2005)

    Elysium
    Jessica Wilkes (1948–2005)
    Oil on canvas
    H 116.5 x W 154 cm
    Southwark Art Collection
    Elysium
    © the artist's estate. Image credit: Southwark Art Collection

  • Kate Stanley Wilkinson (1883–1963)

    On the Knoll
    Kate Stanley Wilkinson (1883–1963)
    Oil on canvas
    H 46 x W 41 cm
    Bushey Museum and Art Gallery
    On the Knoll
    © the copyright holder. Image credit: Bushey Museum and Art Gallery

  • Claudia Williams (b.1933)

    Family by the Sea 1958
    Claudia Williams (b.1933)
    Oil on board
    H 61 x W 50.2 cm
    Newport Museum and Art Gallery
    Family by the Sea
    © the artist. Image credit: Newport Museum and Art Gallery

  • Irene Christobelle Pownoll Williams (1885–1971)

    St Kenelm
    Irene Christobelle Pownoll Williams (1885–1971)
    Tempera on board
    H 74.5 x W 43.2 cm
    The Wilson
    St Kenelm
    © the copyright holder. Image credit: The Cheltenham Trust and Cheltenham Borough Council

  • Lucy Gwendolen Williams (1870–1955)

    The Stick
    Lucy Gwendolen Williams (1870–1955)
    Bronze & marble
    H 21.3 x W 8.1 x D 13.7 cm
    Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales
    The Stick
    © the copyright holder. Image credit: Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales

  • Margaret Lindsay Williams (1888–1960)

    Mrs Emma Turner, née Warren (1861–1924) 1927
    Margaret Lindsay Williams (1888–1960)
    Oil on canvas
    H 148 x W 112 cm
    Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru / The National Library of Wales
    Mrs Emma Turner, née Warren (1861–1924)
    © the copyright holder. Image credit: Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru / The National Library of Wales

  • Margaret Evangeline Wilson (1890–1977)

    Recognition 1940
    Margaret Evangeline Wilson (1890–1977)
    Oil on canvas
    H 125 x W 99.5 cm
    Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum
    Recognition
    © the copyright holder. Image credit: Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum

  • Winifred Wilson (1882–1973)

    Up the Lane, Beauchief, Sheffield
    Winifred Wilson (1882–1973)
    Oil on canvas
    H 61.6 x W 73.2 cm
    Sheffield Museums
    Up the Lane, Beauchief, Sheffield
    © the copyright holder. Image credit: Sheffield Museums

  • Sylvia Wishart (1936–2008)

    Hoy Sound 1987
    Sylvia Wishart (1936–2008)
    Oil & mixed media on paper
    H 97 x W 176.9 cm
    The Pier Arts Centre
    Hoy Sound
    © the artist's estate. Image credit: The Pier Arts Centre

  • Catherine Martha Wood (1856–1950)

    At the Taxidermist
    Catherine Martha Wood (1856–1950)
    Oil on canvas
    H 20.5 x W 41 cm
    Haworth Art Gallery
    At the Taxidermist
    Image credit: Haworth Art Gallery

  • Flora Wood (1908–1998)

    The Outcasts 1955
    Flora Wood (1908–1998)
    Oil on canvas
    H 60.5 x W 50 cm
    East Dunbartonshire Council
    The Outcasts
    © the copyright holder. Image credit: East Dunbartonshire Council

  • Ursula Wood (1868–1956)

    Shetland Fireside 1900
    Ursula Wood (1868–1956)
    Oil on board
    H 58 x W 48 cm
    Shetland Museum and Archives (Shetland Amenity Trust)
    Shetland Fireside
    © the copyright holder. Image credit: Shetland Museum and Archives (Shetland Amenity Trust)

  • Millicent Lisle Woodforde (1880–1923)

    The Thames at Night from the Music Room at 10, Barnes Terrace, London
    Millicent Lisle Woodforde (1880–1923)
    Oil on canvas
    H 30 x W 45 cm
    Richmond upon Thames Borough Art Collection
    The Thames at Night from the Music Room at 10, Barnes Terrace, London
    Image credit: Richmond upon Thames Borough Art Collection

  • Evelyn Anne Woodroffe-Hicks (c.1867–1930)

    The Long Road to the Somme 1913
    Evelyn Anne Woodroffe-Hicks (c.1867–1930)
    Oil on canvas
    H 33 x W 41 cm
    Herbert Art Gallery & Museum
    The Long Road to the Somme
    Image credit: Herbert Art Gallery & Museum

  • Alice Bolingbroke Woodward (1862–1951)

    'Suddenly a rabbit with pink eyes ran close by her'
    Alice Bolingbroke Woodward (1862–1951)
    Watercolour on paper
    H 16.5 x W 11.5 cm
    Bushey Museum and Art Gallery
    'Suddenly a rabbit with pink eyes ran close by her'
    Image credit: Bushey Museum and Art Gallery

  • Catherine Wright (b.1856)

    Local Mill near Crieff
    Catherine Wright (b.1856)
    Oil on canvas
    H 71 x W 90 cm
    The Library of Innerpeffray
    Local Mill near Crieff
    Image credit: The Library of Innerpeffray

  • Elizabeth Wright (b.1964)

    A Sausage Roll and A–Z 2000
    Elizabeth Wright (b.1964)
    Printed 'A–Z of London' book
    H 19 x W 13 cm
    British Council Collection
    A Sausage Roll and A–Z
    © the artist. Image credit: British Council Collection

  • Ethel Wright (1866–1939)

    Dame Christabel Pankhurst exhibited 1909
    Ethel Wright (1866–1939)
    Oil on canvas
    H 160 x W 94 cm
    National Portrait Gallery, London
    Dame Christabel Pankhurst
    Image credit: National Portrait Gallery, London

  • Margaret Isobel Wright (1884–1957)

    Children in a Sandpit
    Margaret Isobel Wright (1884–1957)
    Oil on canvas
    H 58 x W 57 cm
    Paisley Museum and Art Galleries, Renfrewshire Council Collections
    Children in a Sandpit
    © the copyright holder. Image credit: Paisley Museum and Art Galleries, Renfrewshire Council Collections

  • Kate Wylie (1877–1941)

    Flowers (Begonias)
    Kate Wylie (1877–1941)
    Oil on canvas
    H 40.6 x W 50.8 cm
    Glasgow Life Museums
    Flowers (Begonias)
    Image credit: Glasgow Life Museums

  • Eileen M. Wyon (b.1883)

    Mrs Ann Pollard, RMS
    Eileen May Wyon (1883–1969)
    Oil on canvas
    H 45 x W 35 cm
    The Box, Plymouth
    Mrs Ann Pollard, RMS
    Image credit: The Box, Plymouth