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January, 1951. Creator: Shirley Markham
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January, 1951. Creator: Shirley Markham
January, 1951. Design for a calendar. 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 18265995
© Shirley Markham Collection / Heritage-Images
1950s Calendar Fifties January Markham Month Post Box Rain Raining Retro Shirley Shirley Jane Shirley Jane Markham Shirley Markham Shirley Waite Street Corner Umbrella Umbrellas Waite
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This photo print, titled "January, 1951" showcases the exceptional talent of Shirley Markham. A student of Graphic Design and Illustration at London's Central School of Art from 1950 to 1952, Markham was fortunate enough to be mentored by the renowned writer, artist, poet, and illustrator Mervyn Peake. Her artistic style drew inspiration from esteemed British illustrators like Edward Ardizzone, Quentin Blake, and Edward Bawden. During her time in Italy's Dolomite Mountains and Rome, Markham sketched classical buildings that would later influence her work. After graduating from Central School of Art, she embarked on a successful career as a graphic designer. Her expertise extended to book illustrations, comics' cartoons menus for restaurants and programs for various events. However promising her career may have been though when she married in 1957 societal expectations dictated that middle-class women focus their energies on raising children and managing household affairs. Regrettably influenced by these norms despite her evident talent Markham abandoned illustration altogether. For years her remarkable portfolio remained hidden away in the family attic until now. Today we are privileged to witness the publication of her work for the first time—a testament to both her skill as an artist and the unfortunate limitations imposed upon women during that era. This print serves as a reminder not only of Markham's immense potential but also sheds light on the struggles faced by countless talented women whose creativity was stifled by societal pressures
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