For some time, I have been energised by the hegemonic role of English art within British art history scholarship. A Gramscian-style analysis suggests that Scottish, Irish and Welsh (sub)cultures are limited in form and direction by the power and blind-spots of British cultural definitions. Hence, an artist like William McTaggart or Joan Eardley is allocated a peripheral status, and their work is not seen and largely ignored by people outside Scotland.
Today, 24th May 2020, the Guardian called for a UK exhibition of Joan Eardley’s work, quoting author Laura Cumming as saying that ‘it is both a shock and a scandal to me that in all these years she (Eardley) has had no such recognition outside Scotland. This is the equivalent of ignoring a Käthe Kollwitz, a Gwen John or a Louise Bourgeois. London needs to wake up to Eardley.’
Eardley’s work is powerful and different. Look it up and judge for yourself.
