Inspired by the hugely successful visit of the National Gallery's Artemisia Gentileschi masterpiece earlier this year, Paintings in Hospitals is delighted to announce 'In Her Footsteps', a new exhibition by women artists at Pocklington Group Practice, Yorkshire - open now.

Chosen in partnership with patients and care staff at the practice, In Her Footsteps celebrates the many groundbreaking women artists in the Paintings in Hospitals collection.

Artemisia Gentileschi was a true 17^th century trailblazer – she was the first woman to become a member of the Accademia delle Arti del Disegno in Florence and the first known woman artist to develop patronage of international clientele. Brought together here for the first time, In Her Footsteps features 19 artworks by more contemporary trailblazing female artists, including Bridget Riley, Anni Albers, Paula Rego, Helen Chadwick, Maggi Hambling, Mary Fedden and Sushila Singh.

Nineteen Greys by Bridget Riley, 1968. Part of the Paintings in Hospitals collection on loan to Pocklington Group Practice. Photo: Eloise Ross

The exhibition is part of Paintings in Hospitals’ ongoing commitment to showcase the diversity of artists in its collection - of the 1,400 artists represented in the Paintings in Hospitals collection, 43% identify as female. The In Her Footsteps exhibition has been specifically designed for the primary care setting: to enhance the care environment and improve patient and staff wellbeing. Following consultation with patients and care staff, artworks said to support patients and staff to feel ‘healthy’, ‘happy’, ‘calm’, ‘relaxed’ and ‘welcome’ were chosen for the final display.

Artemisia Visits...Pocklington: Paintings in Hospitals community workshop, May 2019.

Amisha Karia, Head of Collection, Loans & Programming at Paintings in Hospitals, said:

“I am delighted to follow in Artemisia’s footsteps to bring Paintings in Hospitals’ first all-women art exhibition to Pocklington Group Practice. Paintings in Hospitals has a long and rich history of innovative approaches to displaying and collecting art. Since our charity’s founder Sheridan Russell began placing art in hospitals in the 1950s, Paintings in Hospitals has aimed to create a collection that represents everyone we support, reflecting gender identity, class, sexuality, ethnicity and ability.”

Drs Mari Austin and James Laing of Pocklington Group Practice said: 

“We are very excited to continue our work with Paintings in Hospitals and host In Her Footsteps at Pocklington Group Practice. We are very aware of the well documented benefits of art on health and wellbeing and we are so pleased that our patients will have the opportunity to benefit from this exhibition.” 

Porto Maurizio by Sushila Singh. Part of the Paintings in Hospitals collection on loan to Pocklington Group Practice. Photo: Eloise Ross

Berni Judge, Managing Partner said:

“Our staff were thrilled to have Artemisia Gentileschi visit the practice earlier this year and we know that they will draw great enjoyment from this new, all-female exhibition.”

If you would like to work with Paintings in Hospitals to introduce art into your care spaces, don't hesitate to get in touch...