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Surreal study, 1952. Creator: Shirley Markham
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Surreal study, 1952. Creator: Shirley Markham
Surreal study, 1952. Illustration for a poem by TS Eliot. Shirley Markham (1931-1999) studied Graphic Design and Illustration at Central School of Art in London from 1950-1952. The writer, artist, poet, and illustrator Mervyn Peake (1911-1968) was one of her tutors, and her style of drawing was also influenced by other British illustrators such as Edward Ardizzone, Quentin Blake and Edward Bawden. Markham spent time in the Dolomite Mountains in Italy, and also visited Rome, sketching classical buildings. After graduating from Central, she worked as a graphic designer, producing book illustrations, cartoons for comics, menus and programmes. She gave up her promising career however when she got married in 1957. Middle-class women at that time were expected to devote their energies to bringing up children and running the home, and despite her obvious talent, she lacked the confidence to return to illustration. Her portfolio remained in the family attic for many years, but now her work is published here for the first time
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Media ID 18266143
© Shirley Markham Collection / Heritage-Images
1950s Asleep Bed Chamber Bedchamber Bedroom Chimney Chimneys Dream Dreamer Dreaming Eliot Eyes Feet Fifties Foot Markham Pipe Poem Shirley Shirley Jane Shirley Jane Markham Shirley Markham Shirley Waite Sleep Sleeping Surreal Tobacco Pipe Waite Wash Poetry
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This print titled "Surreal Study, 1952" by Shirley Markham takes us on a journey into the realm of imagination. Created as an illustration for a poem by TS Eliot, this piece showcases Markham's exceptional talent and unique style. Markham's artistic prowess was honed during her time at Central School of Art in London, where she studied Graphic Design and Illustration from 1950 to 1952. Under the tutelage of renowned artist Mervyn Peake and inspired by British illustrators like Edward Ardizzone, Quentin Blake, and Edward Bawden, Markham developed her own distinctive approach to drawing. Her travels in Italy left a lasting impression on her work. The Dolomite Mountains provided inspiration for her surreal landscapes while Rome offered opportunities to sketch classical buildings. These experiences undoubtedly influenced the dreamlike quality found in "Surreal Study". Despite receiving accolades for her graphic design work after graduation, Markham made the difficult decision to give up her promising career when she married in 1957. At that time, societal expectations dictated that middle-class women focus solely on raising children and managing household responsibilities. For years, Markham's remarkable portfolio remained hidden away in the family attic until now. With this publication marking its long-awaited debut, we can finally appreciate Shirley Markham's extraordinary talent as an illustrator and celebrate her contributions to the world of art.
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