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Woman in pencil suit, c1950. Creator: Shirley Markham
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Woman in pencil suit, c1950. Creator: Shirley Markham
Woman in pencil suit, c1950. Fashion illustration. 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 18266213
© Shirley Markham Collection / Heritage-Images
1950s Fifties Markham Retro Shirley Shirley Jane Shirley Jane Markham Shirley Markham Shirley Waite Skirt Waite Pencil Skirt
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This print showcases a stunning fashion illustration titled "Woman in pencil suit, c1950" by the talented artist Shirley Markham. Born in 1931, Markham studied Graphic Design and Illustration at Central School of Art in London during the early 1950s. Her artistic journey was influenced by renowned British illustrators like Mervyn Peake, Edward Ardizzone, Quentin Blake, and Edward Bawden. During her time as a student, Markham had the opportunity to learn from Mervyn Peake himself. She also drew inspiration from her travels to Italy's Dolomite Mountains and Rome where she sketched classical buildings. After graduating from Central School of Art, Markham pursued a successful career as a graphic designer creating book illustrations, comics cartoons, menus, and programs. However promising her career may have been, societal expectations for middle-class women during that era led Markham to give up her profession after getting married in 1957. Despite possessing undeniable talent as an illustrator, she lacked the confidence to return to her passion. For many years following her departure from the art world, Markham's portfolio remained hidden away in the family attic until now when it is finally being published for all to admire. This remarkable print not only showcases Shirley Markham's extraordinary talent but also sheds light on the challenges faced by women artists during that period who were expected to prioritize domestic responsibilities over their creative pursuits.
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