Barker Langham were commissioned to lead the interpretive development of this fascinating temporary exhibition at the Women’s Library, charting an important and exciting period in Women’s Liberation in the UK.
Working closely with the internal team at the Women’s Library we carried out audience evaluation, researched the content and storyline and produced text for the exhibition, the associated brochure and marketing materials.
The key challenge of this project was to sift through the wealth of information available to develop a story that was compelling, enlightening and true to events. We did this by minimising the curatorial voice and focusing on firsthand accounts – the testimony of those who were there at a time. Our interpretive approach was expressed through an innovative design by Muff and Objective, inspired by the rough and ready printing processes used in the movement to create campaign materials. The exhibition was complemented by a newspaper-format brochure containing accounts from key figures and reproductions of some of the movement’s vibrant campaign posters, for visitors to keep as souvenirs.
The exhibition was well-received when it opened in October 2009 and a series of exhibition-related programmes and special events have proved popular with Library visitors.
