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Woman being frightened by a mouse, c1950. Creator: Shirley Markham
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Woman being frightened by a mouse, c1950. Creator: Shirley Markham
Woman being frightened by a mouse, c1950. Birthday card design. Shirley Markham (1931-1999) studied Graphic Design and Illustration at Central School of Art in London from 1950-1952. The writer, artist, poet, and illustrator Mervyn Peake (1911-1968) was one of her tutors, and her style of drawing was also influenced by other British illustrators such as Edward Ardizzone, Quentin Blake and Edward Bawden. Markham spent time in the Dolomite Mountains in Italy, and also visited Rome, sketching classical buildings. After graduating from Central, she worked as a graphic designer, producing book illustrations, cartoons for comics, menus and programmes. She gave up her promising career however when she got married in 1957. Middle-class women at that time were expected to devote their energies to bringing up children and running the home, and despite her obvious talent, she lacked the confidence to return to illustration. Her portfolio remained in the family attic for many years, but now her work is published here for the first time
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Media ID 18265985
© Shirley Markham Collection / Heritage-Images
1950s Afraid Alarm Birthday Card Fifties Frighten Frightened Frightening Greeting Card Greetings Card Markham Scared Shirley Shirley Jane Shirley Jane Markham Shirley Markham Shirley Waite Waite Graphic Design
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This print captures a moment of pure terror as a woman is startled by an unexpected visitor. Created in the 1950s by Shirley Markham, this image was originally designed for a birthday card. Markham, who studied Graphic Design and Illustration at Central School of Art in London, drew inspiration from renowned British illustrators such as Mervyn Peake, Edward Ardizzone, Quentin Blake, and Edward Bawden. During her time in Italy's Dolomite Mountains and Rome, Markham sketched classical buildings that further influenced her artistic style. After graduating from Central School of Art, she embarked on a successful career as a graphic designer producing book illustrations, comics cartoons, menus, and programs. However promising her career may have been, societal expectations prevailed when she married in 1957. Middle-class women during that era were often expected to prioritize raising children and managing household responsibilities over pursuing professional aspirations. Despite her undeniable talent as an illustrator, Markham lacked the confidence to return to her craft. For many years following her marriage, Markham's portfolio remained hidden away in the family attic until now. Today marks the first publication of her remarkable work which showcases not only her skill but also serves as a testament to the challenges faced by talented women during this period.
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