Female artists join forces to explore – and disrupt – conventional ideas of a woman’s place in the home

A group exhibition bringing together a diverse roster of local, national and international female artists will be open at Warrington Museum and Art Gallery on Saturday.

Any, Body, Home will explore the theme of ‘home’ from a woman’s perspective – both literally and figuratively.

Spanning painting, sculpture, film, installation and performance, the show has been curated by Culture Warrington Associate Artist Marie Jones for Warrington Arts Festival.

Marie, who lives in Chapelford, handpicked Natalie Baxter, Susie Green, Ivy Kalungi, Rachel Maclean, Flo Perry, Amalia Pica, Freddie Robins, Emily Speed and Katie Tomlinson for the project – choosing works from each that contributed a different perspective on how spaces shape us, and how we shape them.

The mum-of-one said: “I feel very excited to be able to bring this group of important artists together, many of whom I have followed alongside my own practice for a long time. 

“The artists are a mix of people I’ve worked with or followed for many years alongside my own practice as well as those I’ve been mentored by or been introduced to through my connections in Warrington. 

“On the surface, each of our practices are very different. However, there are threads in each that connect to the theme of home and I’m interested in how these come together and relate to one another.”

At its core, Any, Body, Home will question, reimagine and turn on its head ideas and expectations around domestic life for a look at how ‘home’ is experienced, shaped and claimed.

Narratives around power, control, identity, ritual, nurturing, memory and belonging will be explored among many others in works that disrupt conventional ideas of femininity and homemaking.

Marie, a former winner of Warrington Museum’s Open Exhibition, added: “This project has been massive but so rewarding. 

“It’s been made possible thanks to the relationship I’ve developed since 2018 with Warrington Museum and the fantastic people who work there. Their trust and enthusiasm has pushed me to always try new things.” 

Exhibition: Any, Body, Home