press release

21 October 2022 — 16 April 2023

Breaking the Mould
Sculpture by Women since 1945

An Arts Council Collection Touring Exhibition

This major touring exhibition challenges the male-dominated narratives of post-war British sculpture by presenting a diverse and significant range of ambitious work by women.

Offering a radical recalibration, Breaking the Mould not only celebrates the strengths of sculpture made by women but also seeks to guard against the threat of slipping out of view. Through this deliberately restorative act, the exhibition seeks to inspire future generations, supporting the maxim ‘if she can see it she can be it’.

Breaking the Mould represents the work of over forty-five sculptors including Jo Applin, Phyllida Barlow, Rana Begum, Susan Collis, Sokari Douglas-Camp, Helen Chadwick, Alice Channer, Lygia Clark, Rose Finn-Kelcey, Elizabeth Frink, Anya Gallaccio, Anthea Hamilton, Mona Hatoum, Jann Haworth, Holly Hendry, Barbara Hepworth, Shirazeh Houshiary, Karin Jonzen, Permindar Kaur, Mary Kelly, Liliane Lijn, Kim Lim, Sarah Lucas, Helen Marten, Cathy de Monchaux, Lucia Nogueira, Margaret Organ, Cornelia Parker, Amalia Pica, Kathy Prendergast, Eva Rothschild, Veronica Ryan, Rebecca Warren, Rachel Whiteread, Shelagh Wakeley and Alison Wilding.

The exhibition is accompanied by a publication with an essay by Natalie Rudd and additional texts by Jo Applin, Rana Begum, Penelope Curtis, Hilary Gresty, Shirazeh Houshiary, Sarah Kent, Liliane Lijn, Clare Lilley, Rosanne Robertson, Veronica Ryan and Joy Sleeman. A wide range of digital resources have also been developed to accompany the exhibition.

Preview: Thursday 20 October, 6-8pm. All welcome.