Skip to the content

Alison J Carr, The Muses are Watching © the artist

Alison J Carr, The Muses are Watching © the artist

Lunchtime Talk: Alison J Carr – Liberating Muses

Thu 16 October 2025 , 1pm-1:45pm

Graves Gallery

Hear artist Alison J Carr discuss her creative process developing The Muses Are Watching, currently on display at Graves Gallery. 

 

The Muses Are Watching is Alison’s most recent work, depicting several historical women that feature as subjects in Sheffield’s art collection. The figures were selected due to their common link of being subjects – seated, watched and painted by others – with Alison asking the question: what happens when these women are put in relation to one another and get to be the ones watching for a change? 

In this insightful talk, Alison will reflect on her approach to working with the women featured in the commission. She’ll share selected details of the fascinating lives of her subjects, ranging from Lady Mary Wortley Montagu in the 1700s to Edith Sitwell in the 1900s.  

She will also explore the intentions behind her material choices and describe how the piece came together, while exploring questions that guided the work—what they reveal about representation, power, and visibility—and why these questions remain urgent and necessary today. 

Suggested donation £5 – Please donate if you're able and help keep your museums open and available for everyone to enjoy.

Event Info

Where

Graves Gallery

How to Book

Suggested donation £5

Booking recommended

To donate, please select 'General Admission + Donation' on the booking page

Donate today – and see your donation doubled!

A donation from you could supercharge children’s learning, help people unlock their creativity and see visitors embark on journeys of discovery that last a lifetime. 

Donate today and your donation will be doubled – making twice the difference, at no extra cost to you!

 

Donate Today
An adult and a child smiling at each other and holding hands in front of museum displays

Stay up-to-date with what’s on

Subscribe to our e-newsletter to find out about upcoming exhibitions, events, activities and more

Plan your visit

Find out everything you need to plan your visit, from getting here to onsite facilities.

Find out more

More upcoming events at Graves Gallery

View all

Support Us

Sheffield Museums is a charity. Your support helps keep your museums open and free for everyone to enjoy.

Read more