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Dancing class, c1950. Creator: Shirley Markham
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Dancing class, c1950. Creator: Shirley Markham
Dancing class, c1950. 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 18266173
© Shirley Markham Collection / Heritage-Images
1950s Class Fifties Instructor Lesson Markham Pianist Piano Piano Player Shirley Shirley Jane Shirley Jane Markham Shirley Markham Shirley Waite Teach Teacher Teaching Tutor Waite Gouache Playing An Instrument
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This print titled "Dancing class, c1950" captures the essence of a bygone era. The creator, Shirley 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 Mervyn Peake, renowned writer and illustrator, Markham honed her skills and drew inspiration from other notable British illustrators. Markham's artistic journey took her to Italy's Dolomite Mountains and Rome where she sketched classical buildings that would later influence her work. After graduating from Central, she embarked on a successful career as a graphic designer, creating book illustrations, comics cartoons, menus, and programmes. However promising her career may have been, societal expectations prevailed when Markham married in 1957. Middle-class women were often expected to prioritize homemaking and child-rearing over their professional aspirations. Despite possessing undeniable talent as an illustrator, Markham lacked the confidence to return to her craft. For many years following her marriage, Markham's portfolio remained hidden away in the family attic until now. This collection showcases her remarkable artwork for the first time since its creation. Through this print capturing a dancing class scene from around 1950s Britain emerges not only an exquisite piece of art but also sheds light on the challenges faced by women artists during that period.
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