Exciting news about the Society of Women Artists 164th Annual Exhibition

I've been meaning to shout out about this incredible exhibition officially for a while now, and how excited I am that my oil painting 'Out of the Dark' has been selected for this year's 164th Annual Exhibition at the Mall Galleries in St James's, London from the 24th to 28th June 2025. It has been a dream to exhibit at the Mall for years, and that it's with the Society of Women Artists is an incredible honour and appropriate, especially for the piece they chose featuring my eldest daughter Isabella, who will be accompanying me to the opening.

A quick statement re-cap for the above painting:

OUT OF THE DARK

'A Snapshot into the life of a Post Pandemic Gen Z'

Isabella in bed with her ex boyfriend, a distant peripheral eye on my child, allowing an open conversation without fear of hiding certain truth from her family.

Childhood symbols featuring Issy's cot toy 'Monkey', and 'Zoot' the panda. Her phone flashing at 13.00pm featuring Issy and her friend at their GCSE Prom.

The earrings next to the phone are an important symbol within the composition, designed by 'Earsass' and called the 'Issy Star'. Created to support a charity called 'Brave Mind' promoting positive mental health and driving conversation around teens suffering with serious mental illness. Sadly this is an all too common issue in this age and very close to our hearts.

My hope for the painting is that if other parents who view it have had a similar experience as we have as a family, are able to express their concerns and ask for the right support for their children without fear of stigma, talking openly about teen mental health without feeling alone.

For more help with the above issues, please visit Paphttps://www.papyrus-uk.org/yrus who are a brilliant charity and helped our family

In the Society's words, 'The SWA was founded in 1855 by courageous and talented women who were unable to exhibit in the male-dominated culture they were born into. Every generation of women since has taken the baton and run with it with an energy and determination that comes through in their vibrant and eclectic work today.

The Society of Women Artists’ 164th Annual Open Exhibition will be at the Mall Galleries, The Mall, London SW1 (June 24th – 28th)

Visit www.society-women-artists.org.uk 

If you are able to visit, please do let me know what you think, my Instagram is @lizzieowenartist or email me, lizzie@lizzieowen.co.uk