Unravelling Women's Art

P.L. Henderson was born in the North of England and in her early career entered the field of environmental work. Her skills in music also led to involvement in the creation of music workshops aimed at empowering girls in economically deprived areas. A personal interest in drawing and also cultural histories, during the years bringing up her son, led to a period of part-time study culminating in gaining a BA in Art History through the Open University. Inspired by feminist art theorist pioneers, P.L. Henderson began an investigation of often invisible women artists, which resulted in the creation of the successful and necessary social media project @womensart1 to platform their work. Presently living in Lisbon, Portugal with her partner whilst working as a freelance writer, she regularly contributes to publications such as 'Resurgence & Ecologist' magazine, 'Art UK' and 'Culture Matters' on topics of art, ecology and social justice. Whilst having a case study published in the book 'Feminism and Museums, Intervention, Disruption and Change' (2017), she was also one of the writing team for Phaidon's book 'Great Women Artists' (2019). She is creator/curator of #WOMENSART, see https: //womensartblog.wordpress.com. Cheryl Robson has edited over 100 titles including, fiction, non-fiction and YA Fiction. Her edited titles were nominated five times for the Marsh Award for Children's Literature in translation in the UK. In 2019, she was nominated for the itv National Diversity award- Lifetime Achievement category.

Unravelling Women's Art isn't only a compelling read, although it is indeed just that. Its focus on the creators, rebels and innovators who have added to the powerful canon of works - by women - in, of and about textiles is comprehensively referenced, elegantly constructed into meaningful and valuable sub-genres, and populated with illuminating examples of both known and lesser-known women practitioners. A timely and attractive publication, Unravelling Women's Art lives up to its title, un-peeling, un-doing and un-tangling a complex and expanded territory, making delightful work of revealing its joyous, eclectic and culturally vital secrets, polemics, and fine and delicious conversations!--Professor Catherine Harper "University for the Creative Arts, Farnham, UK."; “We’re in a time of #imitation of ‘#influence’ in which people crave acceptance by others – afraid to go against the herd. The Herd Rules. This great book is about the rebels, the pioneers, the loners.” – Bonnie Greer, writer;“The book I had to dive straight into when I got it was Unravelling Women’s Art by P.L. Henderson, and a fascinating read it i. Looking at the way craft and art was separated and how textile art has developed through the years with wonderful artist interviews.” – Indie Bookshops and Publishers, end of week roundup; “It’s a thrilling story – exploring the global and historic patchwork of assorted female roles, identities and representations expressed through the needle arts so long overlooked, and covering female-centric textile art production including embroidery, weaving, soft sculpture and knit, not just in the western canon but in cultures around the world. Not merely a scholarly text, its ambitious scope makes for a compelling read, thanks to Henderson’s exuberance in championing women’s textile art.” Pg 57 March/April 2022 | Embroidery (embroiderymagazine.co.uk)