A Woman’s Place …

• posted by firepower
• posted in Events, Exhibitions, Family Activities, News

 NEW EXHIBITION:

A Woman’s Place…

Tuesday 19 February –  Saturday 13 April 2013

Firepower: The Royal Artillery Museum, SE18 6ST

Berkeley Gallery

Royal Arsenal

Woolwich

Summary

Explore the vital role of women serving in the British Army during World War II and in today’s Afghanistan. A unique combination of historical artefacts from Firepower’s collections compliments a stunning display of colour photographs by award-winning photojournalist Alison Baskerville, who followed female soldiers on patrol in 2012 as they carried out their special role – to win the hearts and minds of Afghanistan’s rural communities.

Further information

The 20th Century gave back to British women the freedom to participate actively in the military to a degree that had been unthinkable for more than a thousand years.

This exhibition is a glimpse into the roles women have played while serving their country since 1939. Historical items from Firepower’s collections dating from World War II onwards are displayed alongside The White Picture, a stunning photographic record of the peacekeeping duties being carried out by today’s female soldiers serving on the front line in Afghanistan.

In 2013 women make up nearly 10% of the Armed Forces and are increasingly given roles that place them in the line of fire alongside their male colleagues. This exhibition highlights the outstanding work of our Armed Forces and puts a focus on the often unreported lives of women on the front line, whether closer to home during World War II or on the other side of the world, right now, in Afghanistan.

This is a story told very simply through objects and photographs. We invite you to look at these items while imagining the women connected with them, the qualities those women will have needed and the emotional and physical challenges they may have faced. We also challenge you to compare past and present attitudes towards the status of women in the Army and how they may be reflected in the changing uniform designs represented in this exhibition.

The White Picture was commissioned by The Royal British Legion and it is on loan to Firepower.

Firepower: The Royal Artillery Museum

The history of the Royal Artillery goes back to 1716 when it was first formed at Woolwich. The RoyalArtilleryMuseum has been open to the public since 1820, making it Britain’s oldest military museum. It tells the dramatic story of artillery, scientific discoveries made through warfare and human stories of courage and endeavour. The Royal Arsenal was one of the most important centres in the world for munitions manufacture and, until recently, was a well-kept secret from the public.

Alison Baskerville biography

Alison Baskerville is an award-winning freelance journalist. She served with the Royal Air Force for 12 years, during which time she saw active service in Northern Ireland and Iraq. Whilst in Iraq, Alison was inspired to capture her surroundings on an old Nikon camera. This gave her the motivation to leave the RAF and train as a photojournalist. In 2011, the Territorial Army called on Alison’s professional military and photographic skills. She was deployed to Afghanistan as a Territorial Army photographer, where she served with the Defence Combat Camera Team for six months. Her work from this tour won awards for Best Operational Image and Best Portrait in the professional category of the 2011 British Army Photographic Competition. Her experience and skills made her the immediate choice when The Royal British Legion looked for a volunteer to travel to Afghanistan to document women’s lives on the Front Line.

Notes for Editors

• A selection of historic photographs and from The White Picture are available for media use.
• Interviews with Alison Baskerville are available in person on Tuesday 19 February or by ‘phone on a pre-arranged day. Please contact us.
• Tuesday 5 March, 11.00 and 14.00

Behind the Lens

Alison Baskerville will be giving an illustrated talk about the project behind the photographs displayed in the exhibition, as well as sharing her personal experiences of working as a female photojournalist in regions torn apart by conflict.

Adults £5/Children and students £3 (does not include admission).

Tickets must be booked in advance.

• The White Picture was commissioned by The Royal British Legion and is on loan to Firepower.

• Any photograph used from The White Picture must be credited as follows:

© Alison Baskerville/The Royal British Legion.

• The Museum is open Tuesday to Saturday 10am-5pm.

Contact

Annette McCartney

020 8312 7113 (direct) / 020 8855 7755 (switchboard)

annettem@firepower.org.uk

www.firepower.org.uk

Firepower: The RoyalArtilleryMuseum

Royal Arsenal

Woolwich

London SE18 6ST

Registered Charity:803006