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Carolyn Gowdy is an American artist and illustrator, born in Seattle in 1956 and based in London since 1977. Gowdy studied at the University of Washington (1972-74); Rhode Island School of Design (1974-76); and the Royal College of Art, London (1977-80).

Gowdy has long been fascinated by the relationship between words and images, and her early works at the RCA were initially inspired by the writings of Simone de Beauvoir. England & Co held a solo exhibition/installation of her work in 2006 and have featured her feminist collage series, The Theatre of Women (1979-80). Gowdy's photographs from the 1970s were included in the gallery's presentation at Photo London in 2017.

Tank c 1979
6.25 x 9 inches
Mixed media with collage
From The Theatre of Women series

Museum of Mankind c 1979
16.25 x 14 inches
Mixed media with collage
From The Theatre of Women series

Waiting to be a woman c 1979
11.5 x 15.75 inches
Mixed media and collage
From The Theatre of Women series

What is a woman without a man? c 1979
10 x 14.5 inches
Mixed media with collage
From The Theatre of Women series

An Interview with the 'Ideal' Woman c 1980
11 x 13 inches
Mixed media and collage
From The Ideal Woman's Scrapbook series

It's worth keeping a positive attitude c 1980
7.75 x 6.5 inches
Mixed media with collage on paper
From The Ideal Woman's Scrapbook series

Ideal Woman c 1980
6.75 x 8.5 inches
Mixed media with collage on paper
From The Ideal Woman's Scrapbook series

Chapter 5: approaching old age c 1979
11 x 8 inches
Mixed media with collage on card
From The Theatre of Women series

Lips on stage c 1980
7.75 x 6.5 inches
Mixed media with collage on paper
From The Ideal Woman's Scrapbook series

What should I wear today? c 1980
7.5 x 10.5 inches
Mixed media with collage on card
From The Ideal Woman's Scrapbook series

A Doubting Heart c 1979
7.25 x 8 inches
Mixed media with collage on paper
From The Theatre of Women series

Stop being a wall flower (detail) c 1979
20 x 12 inches
Mixed media with collage on card
From The Theatre of Women series

Woman with Angel c 1979
12.5 x 7 inches
Mixed media on book cover