Illuminating Knowledge

Illuminating Knowledge is a collaborative screen print re-imagining the Lamp of Knowledge, a 14th-century bronze Jewish lamp that is the emblem of the Society of Antiquaries of London. It includes over 200 shapes in the print to represent the women associated with the Society from 1870-1950. These shapes are inspired by Roman and Athenian fictile and votive lamps ranging in date from the 5th century BC to the 2nd century AD, held in the Society’s collections.

Rather than a single lamp emanating from one source, the lamps represent the network of women and the importance of their contributions. By representing each individual, they give voice to women’s work previously overlooked.