Breaking the Mould, installation shot, 2022, The New Art Gallery Walsall. Photo: David Rowan.
Contemporary Exhibitions

Breaking the Mould
Sculpture by Women since 1945

 

An Arts Council Collection Touring Exhibition from the Southbank Centre, London

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 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 full colour catalogue, produced by Hayward Gallery Publishing, 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, available to purchase in our Gallery Shop on the Ground Floor for the exhibition price of £12.99 (RRP £14.99).

More information about Breaking the Mould can be found on the Art Council Collection’s website 

Events

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

BSL Exhibition Tour with Deaf artist Olivier Jamin. Saturday 19 November, 2-3pm. FREE.

A unique insight into this major Arts Council Collection Touring Exhibition that challenges the male-dominated narratives of post – war British sculpture and presents a diverse and significant range of ambitious work by women. 

Booking essential as places are limited.  Email alex.jolly@walsall.gov.uk to book your place.

If you would like to book an exclusive tour of the exhibition for your group, with a BSL interpreter, please contact Alex to discuss your group’s needs and to arrange a date. Fees may apply.

Breaking the Mould: In Conversation with artists Alice Channer and Rana Begum

Thursday 13 April 2023, 5.30-8pm. £7.50 / £5 concessions.

Breaking The Mould is an Arts Council Collection major touring exhibition challenging the male-dominated narratives of post-war British sculpture by presenting a diverse and significant range of ambitious work by women. This event is an opportunity to view the exhibition before its close on 16 April and hear from exhibiting artists, Alice Channer and Rana Begum.

The talk will be facilitated by the curator of Breaking the Mould, independent curator and writer Natalie Rudd. In her former role as Senior Curator of the Arts Council Collection, Natalie managed the Collection’s centre for sculpture at Longside, Yorkshire Sculpture Park (2003-21) and has produced many major touring exhibitions

This event will be filmed and a recording will be made available on our YouTube channel.