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Bird, c1950. Creator: Shirley Markham
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Bird, c1950. Creator: Shirley Markham
Bird, 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 18266609
© Shirley Markham Collection / Heritage-Images
1950s Duck Ducks Fifties Geese Goose Markham Shirley Shirley Jane Shirley Jane Markham Shirley Markham Shirley Waite Waite
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This print titled "Bird, c1950" showcases the incredible talent of creator Shirley Markham. A student of Graphic Design and Illustration at London's Central School of Art in the early 1950s, Markham was fortunate to have Mervyn Peake, a renowned writer, artist, poet, and illustrator as one of her tutors. Her artistic style was also influenced by notable British illustrators like Edward Ardizzone, Quentin Blake, and Edward Bawden. During her time in Italy's Dolomite Mountains and Rome, Markham immersed herself in sketching classical buildings which further enriched her artistic repertoire. After graduating from Central School of Art, she embarked on a successful career as a graphic designer producing book illustrations, comics cartoons menus and programmes. However promising her professional life seemed to be at that time period when societal expectations for middle-class women were rigidly defined; she made the difficult decision to abandon her flourishing career upon getting married in 1957. The prevailing social norms dictated that women should primarily focus their energies on raising children and managing household responsibilities. Despite possessing undeniable talent as an illustrator, Markham lacked the confidence to return to this field after leaving it behind. Consequently, her remarkable portfolio remained tucked away in the family attic for many years until now when we are privileged to witness its publication for the very first time. This extraordinary collection serves as a testament not only to Shirley Markham's exceptional abilities but also sheds light on the challenges faced by countless talented women during that era who were compelled to set aside their dreams due to societal pressures
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