The Great Women Artists

Did you know that the largest collections of work by women artists in Europe can be found either at Murray Edwards College, Cambridge (go see!), and at FAMM (Femmes Artistes du Musée de Mougins) in Mougins in the South of France? The latter has just had a big rehang for summer 2026 – with 75 new works on view.

Hello Readers! As summer rolls on, I’m enjoying finding paintings that perfectly capture the sensations of the season – from the feeling of gliding through a pool to the warm chalky-pink heat of a summer’s night. I’ve gathered some of these here – across styles and eras, from some amazing artists – plus a summer playlist to accompany your looking, readi…

Dear Readers, I hope you are having a great July. There’s so much to look forward to this month. At Tate Modern there’s the legendary trio of Tracey Emin, Frida Kahlo and Ana Mendieta. Elsewhere, there’s a survey of Japanese Women Photographers at The Photographers’ Gallery; Zurbarán at the National Gallery; Marilyn Monroe at the NPG; Alice Neel in Porto, and more.

A woman looks out at us – her body is frontally positioned – and is set against a verdant forest of varying shades of yellow and green. Sitting on her shoulders is a cat, with piercing eyes, who looks as though it is about to pounce, and a monkey, who is doing something with its hands. Look closer and you’ll notice that it’s tying – or loosening – the necklace of thorns that wraps around her neck (and over her shirt), piercing her skin with blood dripping down.

Readers––My favourite time of year has arrived! What better way to spend this time than to kick back and lie in the sun with a good book? Here are some recommendations – from books I’ve read and loved, to those on my bedside stack that I hope to get through this summer. This newsletter is divided into three sections: (1) novels & short stories; (2) non-fiction; and (3) memoirs & diaries.

Dear Readers! I’m excited to announce that the US edition of my kids book, The Story of Art Without Men: An Illustrated Guide to Amazing Women Artists, will be published on October 6, 2026! Pre-order your copy now. This Autumn, I’ll be embarking on a US book tour, including family-focused museum and bookstore events. More on that soon. Ever since The Story of Art Without Men came out, I've been asked if there would ever be a version for younger readers. I'm so happy there finally is.

In recent years museums and galleries have begun the long-overdue task of questioning the stories they tell and, crucially, who has been left out of them. But what is the best way to approach this, that will ensure deep, meaningful, change? What tools are needed to create a long-lasting impact? In 2021, Amsterdam’s Rijksmuseum launched Women of the Rijksmuseum: an initiative dedicated to researching and bringing visibility to the women held in the museum’s collection.

I recently saw the brilliant show “Senga Nengudi: Performance Works 1972-1982” at Whitechapel Gallery (until 14 Jun). Encompassing photographic works, archival materials and films of key performances, it offers a fascinating glimpse into the American artist’s radical practice: from her experimental use of materials to her interest in the body and live p…

Dear Readers! June is upon us. & There is so much to see! From Frida Kahlo opening at Tate Modern and Louise Janin at GPS Gallery, to young artists like Georgia-May Cook at Union Pacific, Paul Majek at House of Annetta, and Lara Shahnavaz at Ginny on Frederick.

Hello Readers! This weekend (5–7 June) marks London Gallery Weekend, featuring exhibitions and events all over the city (& free to attend!). This Friday 5 June at 5:30pm, I’ll be at Hauser & Wirth for their Literary Evening in celebration of Roni Horn and Picabia, hosted by Ben Luke, with readings from me, Tali Lennox, Rejina Pyo, Charlotte Jansen, and more: RSVP. It’s going to be fun! Scroll on for my top picks, divided into four parts – East, Central, West and South London.