Midlands-based artist, Fiona Marks, hopes to help women ‘reclaim the narrative’ with art exhibition at Newark Town Hall’s Spotlight Art Gallery this Women’s History Month

This Women’s History Month an artist aims to help women reclaim their narrative in a exhibition inspired by historical female figures.

Midlands-based artist, Fiona Marks, will be showing off her portraits in her solo “Reclaim the Narrative” show at Newark Town Hall’s Spotlight Gallery from Tuesday, March 12 to April 24.

Her art will tell the stories of several women from history and literature, as she says she wants to give maligned historical women a second chance in the public eye and change how we tell their stories.

“Women have often been treated badly over the centuries and labelled as witches or conniving troublemakers,” said Fiona.

“The reality is that women often had little choice over their own lives — I feel like it’s well past time to right some wrongs and the best way to do that is through my paintings.”

This exhibition will feature the paintings, and stories, of Ada Lovelace; May, Jessie, and Margaret, who led the Arts and Crafts movement ; the Pankhurst women and more.

Fiona’s unique art style focuses on textiles using acrylic paint and carefully researched patterns from the textiles of the time or theme and tailored to each subject.

She added: “I not only research the women of history and literature, but the textiles of the times.

“These are used to create the fabric and background of the subject. I also weave in symbols related to their family history, known loves and more.

“Each of my pieces tells a complex story worthy of each woman featured.”

Fiona, who became a full-time professional artist during the pandemic, will be at the gallery to meet with visitors on Saturday, March 16 and Saturday, April 13 from 11am to 2pm.

The spotlight Spotlight Gallery at Newark Town Hall Museum is open to the public from 10am to 1pm between Wednesday and Friday, and from 10am to 3.30pm on Saturdays.