A Spirit Inside

23 Sep 2023-14 Jan 2024

The Lightbox Gallery, Woking, Surrey

A Presence Within unites the creative contributions of a curated selection of female artists hailing from The Ingram Collection and The Women's Art Collection in Cambridge. This exhibition seeks to spotlight artworks that emanate from an innate strength of spirit, delving into themes encompassing the elemental, fantastical, spiritual, and political.

At its core, the exhibition draws inspiration from a talismanic piece by Dora Carrington. "Iris Tree on a Horse," an early addition to the Ingram Collection, features the artist's friend as its central figure—a knight boldly advancing into the distance, symbolizing female resilience and rebellion. The exhibition's title is extracted from a letter by Carrington, wherein she elucidates her decision not to marry at that particular juncture. For Carrington, such a union would diminish "a spirit inside," driving her to lead a life devoid of convention and compromise. A Presence Within is meticulously explored through the artistic contributions of luminaries like Leonora Carrington, Lubaina Himid, and Paula Rego, shedding light on the diverse ways in which artists from the twentieth century to the present employ subject matter, technique, scale, and material to encapsulate and articulate their inner spirit.

About The Lightbox Gallery

Established in 1992, The Women's Art Collection stands as Europe's largest repository of art crafted by women. Originally conceived to inspire the academic community, the Collection boasts 600 works by preeminent artists. Displayed throughout Murray Edwards College, one of the University of Cambridge's two women's colleges, this exhibition at The Lightbox marks the first collaborative venture between The Women's Art Collection and a museum, presenting select pieces from this expansive collection.

Situated in the heart of Woking, Surrey, The Lightbox Gallery is a distinguished art gallery and museum. Operating as an independent charity, we champion the transformative potential of visual arts. Our mission is executed through a dynamic program of modern and contemporary visual art, community outreach initiatives, and the stewardship of The Ingram Collection and Woking's Story. Our all-encompassing learning and well-being programs leave a lasting impact on local communities, particularly those grappling with mental health issues and dementia. Additionally, we collaborate with schools and young people, ardently advocating for cultural institutions' pivotal role in nurturing the intellectual development of young minds.