A pioneering painter of women, war and marginalised people, Laura Knight’s staggering success in the male-dominated art world paved the way for the recognition of women artists.
With a style that sat somewhere between figurative painting, realist tradition and English Impressionism, Laura Knight (1877-1970) is considered one of the most prolific 20th-century English artists. She was particularly known for her work as a war artist during the Second World War, shining a new light on women’s role in the war effort, and for her fascination with the backstage world of ballet, theatre and circus, often painting marginalised people.
As an artist Laura Knight was constantly breaking conventions and challenging stereotypes – notably she was the first woman elected to full membership of the Royal Academy. The exhibition will feature 160 of her powerful works, from commissions created during the Second World War, rarely seen paintings and graphic works, to ceramics jewellery and costume.
This exhibition was made possible by a campaign run by MK Gallery though our crowdfunding platform, Art Happens – 258 funders raised £11,350 and helped make history by staging the largest Laura Knight exhibition in over 50 years.
