The Women's Exhibition

The Women's Exhibition & Sale of Colours, Prince's Skating Rink, Knightsbridge, May 1909.  This two-week exhibition was organised by the Women's Social and Political Union to raise funds for the campaign and to promote the Votes for Women cause.  Over fifty stalls, decorated in purple, white and green displayed a variety of items for sale that had been donated or made by Suffragettes. On the walls can be seen a series of murals designed by Sylvia Pankhurst.  Influenced by the work of the artist Walter Crane the 20 foot high murals completely covered the walls of the exhibition hall.  The designs were painted and stencilled on canvas by Sylvia and seven fellow artists in the suffragette colours of purple, white and green.  The central image depicted a female sower flanked by blossoming almond trees, accompanied by a text from the Psalms; 'They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.  He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.'The crowded exhibition hall depicted in this image reflects the success of the event that raised over £5,000 for the WSPU 'war chest' and recruited over 250 new members. According to a report in Votes for Women on June 4th 1909 through the success of the exhibition  'We [the WSPU] have shown a new side to the public, with the result that our Movement has won a better understanding on the part of those who knew nothing about it except from hearsay’.