First Women exhibition opens in London
The day has finally arrived! After a decade in the making, 100 First Women will grace the walls of the Royal College of Art’s Dyson Gallery as the exhibition opens tonight (July 19th) for its private view and tomorrow at noon to the public.
With over 50 of the Firsts in attendance this evening, nigh on 300 guests and coverage from BBC Two’s Newsnight https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-44889224/first-females-offer-their-first-class-advice and BBC Four’s Front Row [https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0b9v6n6] to name but two, the show has finally landed!
I am overwhelmed with excitement, relief and pride – and humbled at the response. This exhibition has truly been a team effort from the start – and was no less so in an attempt to get the 100 portraits on the walls in time for the preview!
To the invaluable woman (and man) power whose elbow grease and dedication painted, polished, lifted and carried, I extend my heartfelt thanks; including my intern Antonia (winner of the Anita Corbin Award 2017 from Putney High School), Einius and Marios: decorators extraordinaire; Clive – the best-ever expert picture hanger, ably assisted by my husband John; and also to my son Louis, acting as impromptu photographer for myself and our wonderful patron, Baroness Boothroyd who came by this week to oversee proceedings and be interviewed for the exhibition by Newsnight.
I also want to extend my thanks to Kathleen Soriano, First Women’s curator and the lovely Newsnight crew – producer Henrietta, cameraman Keith and presenter Katie Razzal.
Thank you to everybody who helped to make the launch night a success: Daisy, Louis, John, Janine, Emma, Sophia, Luke, Jasper, Freya, Jenni, John, Louis, Anita, Frances, Sharon, Frankie, Kath, Drew, Alex, Di, Anne, Lizzie, Jacqui, Andy, Sarah, Nicola, Gilly, Caroline, Deborah, Caroline.
Thank you also for the group photograph by Sam Lane Photography.
I can hardly believe that I can now say these words, but… the First Women UK show opens to the public on July 20th and will run until August 22nd. Entry is free. Pop by and say hello, celebrate our female pioneers, scoop up a copy of the limited edition First Women book and hopefully be deeply inspired by all you see. Who knows – you may even bump into a First in the flesh!
To find out more, click here [https://1stwomenuk.co.uk/2018/07/19/the-show/]
