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Conductor and orchestra, Christmas card, 1952. Creator: Shirley Markham
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Conductor and orchestra, Christmas card, 1952. Creator: Shirley Markham
Conductor and orchestra, Christmas card, 1952. 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 18266131
© Shirley Markham Collection / Heritage-Images
1950s Baton Christmas Christmas Card Conducting Conductor Fiddler Fifties Greeting Card Greetings Card Markham Orchestra Retro Shirley Shirley Jane Shirley Jane Markham Shirley Markham Shirley Waite Violin Player Violinist Waite Gouache
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This print captures the essence of a conductor and orchestra in a charming Christmas card from 1952. Created by Shirley Markham, an exceptionally talented artist who studied Graphic Design and Illustration at Central School of Art in London during the early 1950s. Under the guidance of renowned writer, artist, poet, and illustrator Mervyn Peake, Markham honed her skills while drawing inspiration from other notable British illustrators such as Edward Ardizzone, Quentin Blake, and Edward Bawden. Markham's artistic journey took her to Italy's Dolomite Mountains where she immersed herself in sketching classical buildings found in Rome. 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, societal expectations prevailed during that era when middle-class women were encouraged to prioritize their roles as homemakers and mothers. Despite her undeniable talent, Markham lacked the confidence to continue pursuing illustration after getting married in 1957. For many years following her departure from professional artistry, Markham's portfolio remained tucked away in the family attic until now. With great pride and admiration for her work finally being recognized publicly for the first time through this publication by Heritage Images (not affiliated with any company), we celebrate Shirley Markham's extraordinary talent that once graced Christmas cards like this one from 1952 - reminding us all of forgotten brilliance reemerging into light once more.
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