HC Deb 02 November 1987 vol 121 cc644-5
35. Mrs. Mahon

asked the Minister for the Arts how many exhibitions receiving financial support from the Arts Council were by women artists in each of the last five years.

Mr. Luce

In the five years up to and including 1986–87 the number of exhibitions at the Hayward and Serpentine galleries, and on tour, that included women artists was 25, 11, 11, 15 and 21.

Mrs. Mahon

Does the Minister realise that since 1910 only nine women have had shows at the Tate gallery, as compared with more than 200 males? What does the Minister propose to do to address himself to this blatant discrimination?

Mr. Luce

The figures for exhibitions supported by the Arts Council—both on tour and in London—show that women artists have participated in more than 50 per cent. of all exhibitions. That suggests that we are moving in the right direction. However, it is for women to decide whether to participate.

Mr. Oppenheim

Does my right hon. Friend agree that the relevant question is not whether exhibitions are by women, but whether they are any good?

Mr. Luce

Of course, that is right. Any woman would take it as an insult if, in terms of artistry, she were picked on any ground other than merit.

Mr. Fisher

Is the Minister aware that there has never been an exhibition by a woman artist at the Hayward gallery? Is he further aware of the real frustration and anger—[Interruption.] That is an amazing display of male prejudice by Government Members.

Mr. Speaker

Order.

Mr. Fisher

Is the Minister aware of the frustration and anger felt by women audiences and women artists all over the country at the discrimination and bias against their voice in the arts and media? If the right hon. Gentleman has any interest in the subject at all, will he fund the Arts Council to do some research, to consult women artists and perhaps make it a condition of Arts Council funding that it monitors and improves the role of women in its administration and its organisations?

Mr. Luce

The hon. Gentleman said that there had been no women's exhibitions at the Hayward gallery. In the past five years there have been 10 exhibitions in that gallery that have included women artists. That is clear evidence of women's participation and interest. To suggest that there is discrimination against women in the arts is patent nonsense. What matters is the creation of an environment in which we encourage women with talent to participate. That is a more fruitful way to proceed than that suggested by the hon. Gentleman.

Mr. Cormack

Is my hon. Friend aware of the anger and frustration among the male community at the number of times women feature prominently in works of art?

Mr. Luce

I shall proceed with caution on that question. However, when I launched an "Art in Government" initiative last week, four out of the final six in the competition to spread more pictures round Civil Service offices were women artists.