Carla Nizzola is the perfect person to present a Show devoted to women’s art. After years as a gallery manager and collector she realises there is a deep inbalance between how often women appear as the subjects of art - and how seldom act as the directors of the world of art acquisition and sale. Super stylish ( as you might expect) Carla’s new gallery now opens its door on a lovely collection of women’s painting, prints and inspiring sculpture.She wants to feel she participates in the new role of women in art and as she says, “Although slow process is being made in levelling the various disparities’ she is confident a new mood has set in . Women have dazzled the art world for decades now, in this new show this go ahead Curator shows a glimpse of how.

Bridget Riley erupted on to the scene in the 1950s. Her pictures literally dazzled - a long viewing of some left the most hardened Pop Art promoter boggle eyed. Yet Bridget is so much more than a woman of the revolution of that era. Her reputation has grown and her last exhibition at the Hayward London had her admirers more impressed than ever. Astonishing to think she has endured and developed for so very long - and these prints prove her long lasting appeal.so refreshing to see these warm natural but quirky pieces still vibrant after so long

No exhibition of women’s art would be worth its salt without the heroine of the movement, Tracey Emin. Notorious from her early Bed series, her drawings whilst not technically conformist ( how would they be?) have a louche and lovely feel personal to her. So remarkable to think they could be part of an ordinary art lover’s collection as valuable prints. Tracey is heart-warming and these drawings show it.

Elena Saraceni is a new name for me, this work, made from hair is arresting even compelling.

Elena Saraceni -Hand embroidered hair fibre on canvas

Mel Fraser is a sculptor of immense skill and feminine sensitivity. Many women artists , Elizabeth Frink, Barbara Hepworth have been drawn to the most obdurate of materials - Mel Fraser is in that tradition. FIamma (below) is carved from Carrara marble like the work of Michelangelo .When Mel visited the site, she realised she had underestimated the cost of this wonderful medium.’ “Miraculously , the quarry foreman took pity on me and let me have , an amazing twelve tonnes of marble for a price I could pay. I shall never forget it”. Her work has travelled around the art shows of the world from New York to Hong Kong but Mel is local in Cambridge and has her own studio here. I marvelled at FIamma below, which turns magically on its onyx plinth by the means of one screw placed there by eye alone. My architect engineer husband could hardly believe it was in place never mind movement on this basis. Mel is a very spiritual artist, she feels the work makes itself - but of course it is a lot of hard work. It is among the most outstanding in Extraordinary Objects this show.

Lynne Strover herself an eminent gallerist The gallery describes how her .hand-crafts bold and eccentric silver jewellery using the highest quality materials have made her so outstanding in a crowded field. Each piece is carefully considered and unique, making her the go-to craftswoman in Cambridgeshire for bespoke jewellery pieces. Lynne now has her own studio, gallerist turned artist it is wonderful to see her original and eminently covetable work. Turn yourself into a living work of art with her delightful bird ring which has all the originality and flair of her long experience in the skill. Move over Benvenuto Cellini.

SALUTE will run from 26 March - 21 April at Extraordinary Objects Gallery, 14 Green St, Cambridge, CB2 3JU,

Mar 31 SALUTE AT EXTRAORDINARY OBJECTS GALLERY

Apr 4 AN HOUR AND A HALF LATE AT THE ARTS THEATRE

Mar 31 SOMEONE TO WATCH OVER ME

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