Female poster artists

100 years ago many things changed for women here in the UK. For the first time some women over the age of 30 were allowed to vote. By the end of 1918 some women were allowed to stand for election to the House of Commons. A time of change was beginning.
When Frank Pick took charge of Underground publicity in 1908 almost all poster artists were men. Pick changed that by commissioning artists solely on talent and not gender. The first poster by a woman appeared on the company's trams in 1910. By 1920 a new group of women poster artists emerged. This exhibition at the London Transport Museum celebrates the work of female poster artists.

Many of the posters are unsigned like this one from 1917 but it has been attributed to a 'Miss Bowden'

Hampstead Heath 1915.
Nancy Smith began her career as a book illustrator but became one of the first professional female poster designers in Britain.

Pinner 1916
Her posters were regularly reviewed in the press and exhibited in galleries alongside those of leading male poster designers.

Epping Forest !922

For Horsenden Hill 1914 by Dora McLaren

Always ready 1913 and Kensington Gardens 1915 by Hilda Cowham.. Before designer London Underground posters Hilda was already a successful children's book illustrator.

The day will come when the joybells will ring again 1944 by Anna Zinkeisen

Clifford and Rosemary Ellis  1936

Anna Zinkeisen 1934

Anna Zinkeisen 1934

Anna Zinkeisen 1934

Freda Lingstrom, one of the most successful poster artists of the 1920s

London's Season 1934 by Kate Burrell

Kate Burrell 1928

General Joy by Vera Willoughby 1928

Regents Park Zoo 1930 by Arnrid Johnson

Sybil Andrews 1933

Margaret Calkin James

Travels in time on your doorstep 1937. Rosemary Ellis always worked in collaboration with her husband Clifford producing over 20 posters for London Transport. Their surrealist inspired images would have been considered very unusual at the time and reflect the Underground's role in introducing modern art to its passengers.

A garden for all seasons 1993 by Caroline Brice. This poster promotes Covent Garden.

Lazy days by tube 1991 by Sandra Fisher

The new Kew by Tube 1987 by Jennie Tuffs (this became one of London Transport Museum's best selling posters.)

St James's park 1997 by Jennie Tuffs. Tuffs designed seven posters for London Underground between 1987 and 1999

The Flower Market 1987 by Kay Gallwey

London's Museum 1979 by Carci Barker

Westminster Abbey 1966 by Gaynor Chapman

Simply health and fitness by Jane Strother 1999

Simply Showbiz by Lesley Saddington 1998

Smithfield market 2010 by Ruth Hydes.

Borough Market 2010 by Ruth Hydes

Tube Map 2006 by Emma Kay. This was originally designed as a cover for the pocket tube map and was later turned into a poster.

Waiting for a train 2013 by Corin Sworn. Commissioned for 'Art on the Underground'

Cranky 2014 by Clare Woods. Commissioned for 'Art on the Underground' shows parts of the river usually unseen.

Winter fun 2016 by Anna Hymas