If Sisterhood means a connective community of like minded souls linked by a common interest and characterised by mutual respect, shared goals and feelings of trust and support, then this is the ideology that has driven the success at Studio Cennen. And this show seems to be the best way that the artists included can be celebrated - those who have consistently been a part of the collaboration that this gallery has to have, responding positively, enthusiastically and creatively to many of the past themed shows. Although there is no rigid theme for this exhibition, one of the main aims is to highlight and praise the individuality and creativity of the those who repeatedly come together to share in this artistic adventure.
From the Pre-Raphaelite Sisterhood in the mid nineteenth century and the W.I.T.C.H. art collective in late 1960’s America, through to the championing of women’s art by Katy Hessel in her The Great Women Artists podcast and Instagram, the herstory of art is ongoing and swelling. One could call it a recurring zeitgeist.
The SISTERHOOD exhibition is not exclusively female - the main painters Suzanne Harris, Rhian Nest James, Beth Marsden, Maria Pierides and Arabella Shand will be joined by Jon Dudley, allowed into the circle for his constancy and recognition as a kindred spirit. As always with collective shows at the gallery there will be ceramicists and sculptors, printmakers and glass blowers from the increasing tribe of artists and makers.
