How female artists are often described

An artist in her own right

This text is inspired by the common description of women artists who are married to, or who are the partners of, male artists as ‘an artist in her own right’.

The text reads: Barbara Hepworth’s husband was an artist in his own right.

Barbara Hepworth’s husband was the artist Ben Nicholson.

The term ‘she was an artist in her own right’ implies that the woman was probably considered to be a lesser artist than her husband. In the case of Hepworth and Nicholson, it was Hepworth who was the more high profile artist.

This is a piece about discrimination, equality and the position of women in society.