The twentieth century was a time of great change for women. This exhibition spotlights four British artists working in the early 1900s: Vanessa Bell, Gwen John, Laura Knight and Dod Procter. Each established a successful career at a time when there had been few celebrated women artists. The exhibition reveals how the women challenged the conventions of their day to become respected painters, while showcasing each as an important artist in her own right.


This Curation features some of the artworks on display in the exhibition Challenging Convention at the Laing Art Gallery, Newcastle upon Tyne (17 May - 21 August 2021*). The exhibition features loans from over 30 UK public collections.


*Provisional (may be subject to small changes)

12 artworks

Winifred John

A Corner of the Artist's Room in Paris

Chloë Boughton-Leigh

Helen Dudley

View of the Pond at Charleston, East Sussex

The Vineyard

A Dark Pool

A Balloon Site, Coventry

A Dressing Room at Drury Lane

Early Morning

The Hall Table

Ancilla with an Orange