Murray Edwards College in Cambridge is home to the Women’s Art Collection, which is described as Europe’s largest publicly accessible collection of modern and contemporary art by women. The collection, featuring over 600 works by more than 300 artists, is free to visit and open to the public throughout the year.
Harriet Loffler, director of the Women’s Art Collection, noted that the collection includes works by well-known artists such as Tracey Emin, Rose Wylie, Leonora Carrington, Faith Ringgold, and Barbara Walker. The collection began with Mary Kelly, the college's first artist in residence, whose work 'Extase' (1986) was acquired and displayed in the dining hall.
To mark four decades since the acquisition of 'Extase', a new exhibition titled 'What Remains' will open. This exhibition will feature archival materials, including Kelly's residency application, and works by contemporary artists exploring similar feminist themes.
The college, established as New Hall in 1954, moved to its current location in 1965. Unlike university-funded institutions, the Women's Art Collection relies on donations and college funds for acquisitions, having partnered with Spirit Now London in 2024 and working with Female Artists of the Mougins Museum at this year’s Frieze London.