Silver Anniversary Campaign

As the National Museum of Women in the Arts (NMWA, or the Women’s Museum) celebrates its 25th anniversary, we encourage you to join us in our campaign to promote art by women with a connection to the UK. For the Silver Anniversary Campaign, we will acquire a sculpture by Dame Elisabeth Frink R.A. for the Women’s Museum.

Although NMWA has more than 4000 works in its collection, it includes only a few by British women and Frink is not represented at all. Dr. Jordana Pomeroy, the Museum’s Chief Curator, calls Frink “the archetypal British sculptor—virtually a national treasure.” Further, Pomeroy explains that, “Frink held her own with the men and worked large scale. Her influences are evident but she took Rodin (and, I believe, Giacometti) down a British path.” We feel that a British woman sculptor of Frink’s calibre should be represented in the only museum in the world dedicated exclusively to celebrating the achievements of women artists of all time periods and nationalities. With your support, she will be there.

Donations in any amount are welcome. All donors will be acknowledged in a Book of Recognition which will accompany the gift of art and will be invited to a reception in London where the work will be presented to the Women’s Museum. Donations above £250 will be recognized at the reception and in an article about the gift in the Museum’s award-winning magazine, Women in Arts. Donations above £500 will be recognized as Silver Patrons and invited to a Silver Anniversary Lunch during 2012.

You can donate online via MyDonate

or complete this form and send with a cheque payable to Friends of NMWA, UK to:
P. White, 88 Holland Park, Flat 1, London W11 3RZ.

New Bird II is a bronze sculpture with brown patina, signed and numbered 5/6 on base. It stands 39 cm. high. Dame Elisabeth Frink R.A. began exploring the theme of birds of prey in the late 1950s and continued throughout the 1960s. It was a fertile theme for her and enabled her to express and convey her attitudes to war and, in particular, aggression. Her birds are shown as though stalking their prey, raised on long thin legs as in New Bird II; the body, head and beak are reduced to one form, transforming the bird into a fighting machine and an image of invincibility.