(Above) Natalie Denny (née Ackenhausen, later Bevan), 1928, by Mark Gertler, oil on canvas. Collection National Portrait Gallery, London NPG 6877. © estate of Mark Gertler
We hope Charlotte York, the Sex and the City character and former gallery owner, would approve of our cultural tips for avoiding the World Cup 2010. Read on for a selection of exhibitions in cities round the country featuring work by female artists past and present - and not a football in sight. Enjoy.
Butterflies in Brighton
Social butterfly and artist Natalie Bevan, along with her husband Bobby, cultivated the friendship of post-war artists and amassed an enviable collection which you can see in the From Sickert to Gertler exhibition at Brighton Museum & Art Gallery, including a ceramic by Natalie herself. Until September 12, 2010.
A detail from Clare Twomey's installation at Brighton Pavilion. © Matthew Andrews
Follow this with a visit to the Royal Pavilion for more ceramics in the form of 3,000 black butterflies that have descended on the banqueting table, across window panes, in roof lights, on mantelpieces and other surfaces inside the Pavilion. They are the creation of artist Clare Twomey and her installation, A Dark Day in Paradise is in situ from June 8, 2010 until early January 2011.
The Sense of Sight by Annie Swynnerton, 1895, Oil on canvas. Courtesy Walker Art Gallery
Women at the Walker, Liverpool
Some of history's most celebrated women artists, from the 16th century up to the present day, are featured in The Rise of the Women Artists exhibition at the Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool. The exhibition runs until August 1, 2010 and traces the historical changes affecting women, looking at their status and careers as they strove to assert themselves as artists in their own right, including work by the recently deceased Louise Bourgeois and the first woman to made a member of the Royal Academy after the 18th century, Annie Swynnerton - she was made an associate in 1922.
Tan in Glasgow
As part of the 2010 Glasgow International Festival of Visual Art (Gi), Glasgow Museum of Modern Art, aka GoMA, presents the video installation Tomorrow (2005) by artist Fiona Tan until September 27, 2010. Tan's work explores issues related to human representation, such as concepts of identity and nationality. Click on the link for more info about the artists talk series and tours.
Einladung zur Angst 2005 (detail), by Katja Strunz, various materials. © Freddy Le Saux
Bang on at BALTIC, Newcastle
At the Cage Mix: Sculpture and Sound exhibition at BALTIC in Newcastle, Katja Strunz's installation comprises of a series of brass and steel rods and parts from left over musical instruments, circular cymbals and the horn of a trumpet. BALTIC describes them as "Sentinels marking time they appear associated with the production of sounds and form a bridge to astronomical listening; an aerial station of weathered instruments, the sounds of origins, and the source of the big bang". Cage Mix: Sculpture and Sound runs until September 19, 2010.
Continuing the musical bent, we'd also recommend the forthcoming Doubtful Sound exhibition at BALTIC by Cornelia Parker. It opens June 19 and is on till September 19, 2010.
Lily van der Stokker, I am an artwork, 2004, acrylic paint on wall and 220 x 300cm Feature, New York. © the Artist. Courtesy Air de Paris, Paris
Van der Stokker at St Ives
Lily van der Stokker's form of what she calls "non-shouting feminism" is currently on show at Tate St Ives in No Big Deal Thing. Her art explores beauty, love, relationships, family and the everyday. What's not to like?
Why not try our Culture24 Places to Go section? It has articles and features, as well as a Google map, to help you escape the football this summer.
Special World Cup offer
Finally, if you're stuck at home, Find My Past's special offer might be for you. Findmypast.co.uk are offering free access to all the historical records on their website during England's matches in the World Cup.
