‘Moving from politics to magick we were still radical in our thinking’, in the words of artists Beverley Skinner, Anne Berg, Marika Tell and Monica Sjöö
The works include radical visionary symbolism that mitigates against ecological crisis and social justice, openly campaigning for marginalised groups. The group of women artists that formed initially Woman Power then Woman Magic in Bristol in the 70s were advocates for a collaborative society that valued this form of interconnectivity, holistic thinking and care. Focusing on issues of inequality, climate justice, indigenous rights and racial inequality their activism operated personally, spiritually and collectively through visual campaigns in both poster forms and touring painting shows. They felt empowered to carry with them a sense of healing and value for ancestral knowledge, that returned into ecological sustainability, connecting local actions in the port city of Bristol to global movements.
Note: The term ecofeminism was coined by French Writer Françoise d’Eaubonne in 1974 linking feminism with Green Politics.
Event details
Date: , 2026
Time:
Location: Level 2 - Waterside Suite
Venue: M Shed, BS1 4RN
Price: Free
With: Sue Fahy
I first met Monica when I invited her to give a talk on Goddesses & Matriarchies, and also to participate in a group discussion with Jean Freer, and Felicity Wombwell about ‘The Goddess as we see Her’. These events were part of the 10 day Wakefield Women’s Festival in 1988 at Wakefield College – as part of Wakefield’s Centenary. I came up with the idea and worked with groups of women who took on co-ordinating events from their subject area – workshops, discussions, performances, etc. about – Health, Goddess Spirituality, Theatre, Music, Dance, Art, Film & Photography, Politics, 5 Exhibitions; creating & building the Women’s Garden, setting up a Market Place and Cafe, and a Campsite, and Creche. Many of these women, including myself, worked at Wakefield College – and we all volunteered our time for this event. (I just found the programme.)
I would love to come to the Woman Magic exhibition and wonder what time it is open as it is a long time since I came to Bristol. Would there be a map – with an address, and information about the nearest car park ? so I don’t spend the day getting lost – thanks.
Sheila,
All our mini-exhibitions are open all day on Saturday 25 April at M Shed. You can get travel/parking details on the M Shed website: https://www.bristolmuseums.org.uk/m-shed/plan-your-visit/getting-here/