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Somersault, 1952. Creator: Shirley Markham
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Somersault, 1952. Creator: Shirley Markham
Somersault, 1952. People waiting in a queue for the theatre are entertained by street perfomers. 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 18265963
© Shirley Markham Collection / Heritage-Images
1950s Acrobat Acrobatics Fifties Markham Queue Queuing Retro Shirley Shirley Jane Shirley Jane Markham Shirley Markham Shirley Waite Waite Waiting Somersault Street Artist
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This print titled "Somersault, 1952" by Shirley Markham takes us back to a vibrant era of entertainment and artistic expression. The image captures a moment in time when people eagerly wait in a queue for the theatre, their faces filled with anticipation. However, what truly steals the show are the street performers who captivate this audience with their mesmerizing somersaults. Shirley Markham's creative journey was shaped by her studies at Central School of Art in London during the early 1950s. Under the guidance of renowned artist Mervyn Peake and inspired by British illustrators like Edward Ardizzone and Quentin Blake, she developed her own unique style of drawing. Markham's travels through Italy left an indelible mark on her artistic vision as she sketched classical buildings in Rome and immersed herself in the Dolomite Mountains' beauty. After graduating from Central, she embarked on a successful career as a graphic designer, lending her talents to book illustrations, comics, menus, and programmes. Sadly though, societal expectations prevailed during that time period as middle-class women were expected to prioritize family life over professional aspirations. Despite her undeniable talent, Markham reluctantly abandoned illustration after getting married in 1957. For years her remarkable portfolio lay forgotten in the attic until now; it is finally being shared with the world for its first publication. This long-overdue recognition allows us to appreciate Shirley Markham's exceptional talent and celebrate her contribution to art history.
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