Individual Contemporary Artists Slide Files

Contemporary artists working mostly in the UK, but including artists working internationally. Documentation of work in all visual arts media. The slides files are attached to documentation wallets containing further written and visual information.

The Women's Art Library (also known as MAKE) was originally set up as the Women Artists slide Library in London in the late 1970s. This initiative from feminist artists' developed into an arts organisation publishing catalogues, books and a magazine from 1983-2002. During this time women artists deposited unique documentation on their work and created personal files that functioned together as an alternative public space. Thousands of artists from around the world are represented in some form in this collection. In 2004 the collection became part of Goldsmiths Library Special Collections. At Goldsmiths The Women's Art Library (MAKE) continued to collect slides, artist statements, exhibition ephemera, catalogues, and press material in addition to audio and videotapes, photographs and CD-Roms. As at 2009 they continued to welcome donations from women artists to help develop this collection. This section of the MAKE Resource collection was built up over the history of the organisation as artist members submitted information about their work. The collection consists of both current members and past members in addition to various artists whose information has come to the collection through other sources such as press offices and galleries. The earliest work dates from the early 1980s and is added to on a daily basis. Some artists withdraw early work as they update slides and information, whereas others will continuously add to their existing files.

All files stored as hanging files arranged alphabetically by the artist's surname in filing cabinets accessible in Library. Two sections: and 'Contemporary Artists' and a number of 'Contemporary Artists Mambers' catalogued in the database through subject key words.

Access for visitors is by appointment only.

MAKE collects information and slides directly from women artists.

List available at the Library (database)

Description by Althea Greenan, MAKE 2002. Submitted to the Archives Hub as part of Genesis 2009 Project.