My project is a proposed Gallentine’s Day (Valentine’s for the gals) exhibition at the National Gallery that celebrates the overlooked and forgotten women behind iconic artworks. The event aims to create an environment where visitors, especially Gen Z women, can explore selected paintings and discover the stories (or silences) behind the women who modelled for them. Many of these women were underpaid, unnamed, or overlooked in art history. By placing accessible, honest information beside each painting, the exhibition brings its presence back into focus and also attracts a new audience that may not usually visit the gallery.
The experience is designed to feel relaxed, social, and participatory. Bean bags will be placed throughout the gallery to encourage slow looking and comfort, and visitors will be invited to create small A6 sketches or writing inspired by the paintings or by themes such as visibility, identity, and recognition. These mini artworks can be pinned on a pinboard next to the originals, creating a growing, collaborative display that celebrates women’s creativity and shared experiences. The event is free, open to all, but intentionally aimed at women who want to celebrate Gallentine’s Day in a meaningful way.
The tone of the event strikes a balance between education and community. It offers space for reflection on how women have been represented, forgotten, or undervalued in art history, while also giving visitors an active role in responding creatively. The result is a hybrid between an exhibition, a workshop, and a social gathering.
To fully define and present this project, I still need to complete several key elements: