This series of four prints relate to and reconfigure the bronze relief portraits Tracey Emin created for The National Portrait Gallery’s 4 metre high front doors.
Representing ‘every woman throughout time’ these portraits are a celebration of women from different walks of life, known and unknown – mothers, daughters, sisters and friends – and a contemporary response to the under-representation of women in historical art collections.
The portraits are crafted using dark blue ink on a soothing beige background and they transcend mere visual appeal, delving into the profound symbolism of the roles women embody throughout their lives; stories of resilience, sacrifice, and empowerment.
This portfolio challenges the viewer to reflect on the diversity and enduring strength that define womanhood, making it a powerful piece in the conversation on equality. By centering women as subjects, the artist not only celebrates their presence but also challenges the longstanding narrative that has often relegated them to the periphery of artistic recognition.
“ Women in history are greatly underrepresented. I didn’t want to depict specific or identifiable figures. I felt like the doors of the National Portrait Gallery should represent every woman, every age and every culture throughout time. „