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Head of a woman, 1953. Creator: Shirley Markham
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Head of a woman, 1953. Creator: Shirley Markham
Head of a woman, 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 18266271
© 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 showcases the stunning artwork titled "Head of a woman, 1953" by Shirley Markham. Born in 1931, Markham was a 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, her unique style began to take shape. Influenced by other notable British illustrators such as Edward Ardizzone, Quentin Blake, and Edward Bawden, Markham's work exudes an undeniable charm. During her time in Italy's Dolomite Mountains and Rome, she sketched classical buildings that further inspired her artistic journey. After graduating from Central School of Art, Markham embarked on a successful career as a graphic designer. Her illustrations adorned books, comics' cartoons menus and programmes with great finesse. However promising her professional path seemed to be at that time period for women like herself belonging to the middle-class society were expected to prioritize their role as homemakers after marriage. Consequently, despite possessing immense talent and potential for growth within the illustration field; she lacked confidence to return to it after tying the knot in 1957. For years thereafter her remarkable portfolio remained hidden away in the family attic until now when we have been granted this incredible opportunity to appreciate her work for the first time through its publication here today (not intended for commercial use).
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