Art Review: Women in Revolt!: Art and Activism in the UK 1970-1990, at Tate Britain

Linder, Untitled, 1977. Printed papers on paper,136 x 210 mm. Purchased 2007 by Tate

Tate Britain's latest exhibition delivers a resounding feminist blow to the mainstream, patriarchal art world, in both scope and impact. Spanning from 1970 to 1990, this comprehensive exploration delves deeply into all dimensions of femininity. The voices of everyday women are unearthed. They speak of rebellion, strength, and survival.

The voices of everyday women are unearthed.

Linsey Young curates a dossier of works which travel through art, activism, and righteous fury. Posters, artefacts, and signposts lead the charge for women’s rights -  championing the rise with fervour. They express the female struggle to emancipate their bodies from male control while echoing pivotal moments like the Equal Pay Act, and the 1965 Race Relations Act, (not to mention the assertion of basic human rights).

Jill Posener, Fiat Ad, London, 1979, reprinted 2023. Courtesy of the artist

This is vividly embodied by artists such as Susan Hiller, Margaret Harrison, Carole Gibbons, and Monica Sjöö, who document the prevalent issue of unpaid domestic labour faced by women in the 1970s. Injustice in various contexts is a recurring theme, but so is liberation, voice, and the unwavering resilience of women who, amidst societal pressures, continued to create art.

Women in Revolt! at Tate Britain, London, 2023 © Tate (Larina Fernandes)

Rita McGurn's 'A Crochet Rug' exemplifies the pursuit of artistic practice within the intimate confines of one's home, while Helen Chadwick's 1977 performance piece 'In the Kitchen' satirises the conventional role assigned to women in domestic spaces. Chadwick ingeniously crafted sculptural pieces from PVC 'skins' stretched over metal frames, including a cooker, sink, and washing machine. These installations were accompanied by a soundtrack sourced from BBC Radio 4 programs Woman's Hour and You and Yours. The commentary echoed: 'The Kitchen must inevitably be seen as the archetypal female domain where the fetishism of the kitchen appliance reigns supreme.’

'Women in Revolt!' comprises a sweeping chorus of voices. The symphony merits time and attention.

A dedicated section of the exhibition, ‘Black Woman Time Now’ showcases a range of talents connected to the Black Arts Movement and artists of colour. Highlights include Claudette Johnson's captivating drawings, Lubaina Himid's pioneering sculptures, and Sutapa Biswas's impactful piece, ‘Housewives with Steak Knives’ — a modern twist on the Indian deity Kali, featuring severed male heads. 

These artists are heroes who fought to be heard, and in this show, they roar.

For more information and bookings, please visit the Tate Britain’s website.