Becky Mair News

In the groundbreaking article Why Have There Been No Great Women Artists? by Linda Nochlin in 1971, the view that women had been systematically erased from art history was explored, calling out the institutional barriers historically faced by women in the Western tradition. It echoed the civil-rights advances that were taking place at the time, and is considered required ‘feminist art history’ and ‘feminist art theory’ reading.

The days are now much shorter and temperatures have started to drop, but there are still plenty of reasons to get out-and-about and enjoy the great outdoors and all the natural delights that it has to offer at this time of year, not least the fascinating array of British wildlife. The shortening hours of daylight are said to provoke the red deer rut in October, and you may hear the grunts of mature stags at dusk and dawn as they attempt to ward off their competitors, each vying for the attention of fertile female deer.

With the Stag Beetle rutting season starting in May, June is a great time to spot the species ‘in full swing’ before they disappear again in July. Hotspots in the UK are mainly confined to the South of England, with Sussex, Surrey and the New Forest being among the best places to see them. Skilled printmaker Guy Allen has created a remarkably detailed yet contemporary composition featuring a stag beetle etching on a circular litho printed background, embellished with gold leaf. Find the exquisite Stag Beetle Study on our online gallery.