Ruth Millington
@ruthmillington.bsky.social
Art writing, curating & consulting. Author of MUSE (Vintage, 2022) and This Book Will Make You An Artist (Nosy Crow, 2024).
Pinned
🦋 Hoping for chats about art, culture and writing over here...
For Dispatch, I wrote about Birmingham's overlooked prince of Pop art, who changed modernism alongside Hockney, Boty and Blake in London, before living his American Dream with Warhol. But he never forgot the industrial city which inspired his radical work www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk/peter-philli...
Peter Phillips: prince of pop art
The fast-living painter left Brum in search of the American Dream
www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk
September 10, 2025 at 6:34 PM
For Dispatch, I wrote about Birmingham's overlooked prince of Pop art, who changed modernism alongside Hockney, Boty and Blake in London, before living his American Dream with Warhol. But he never forgot the industrial city which inspired his radical work www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk/peter-philli...
Reposted by Ruth Millington
Musa - Ruth Millington
June 28, 2025 at 5:33 AM
Musa - Ruth Millington
For @theartnewspaper.bsky.social I remembered pioneering Pop artist PETER PHILLIPS (1939 - 2025) who drew on Birmingham's industrial culture to create groundbreaking, collaged paintings of car parts, comic books, flags and stars. He was witty and brilliant:
www.theartnewspaper.com/2025/07/07/r...
www.theartnewspaper.com/2025/07/07/r...
July 7, 2025 at 1:05 PM
For @theartnewspaper.bsky.social I remembered pioneering Pop artist PETER PHILLIPS (1939 - 2025) who drew on Birmingham's industrial culture to create groundbreaking, collaged paintings of car parts, comic books, flags and stars. He was witty and brilliant:
www.theartnewspaper.com/2025/07/07/r...
www.theartnewspaper.com/2025/07/07/r...
Reposted by Ruth Millington
Shortlisted in Hobbies & Interests:
This Book Will Make You An Artist
Congratulations to @ruthmillington.bsky.social and Ellen Surrey! 🌟
This Book Will Make You An Artist
Congratulations to @ruthmillington.bsky.social and Ellen Surrey! 🌟
June 3, 2025 at 10:17 AM
Shortlisted in Hobbies & Interests:
This Book Will Make You An Artist
Congratulations to @ruthmillington.bsky.social and Ellen Surrey! 🌟
This Book Will Make You An Artist
Congratulations to @ruthmillington.bsky.social and Ellen Surrey! 🌟
For @birminghamlive.bsky.social I spoke to comedy legend Stewart Lee about Birmingham's overlooked Surrealist Emmy Bridgwater (whose house was on his paper round). I agree with him - we all need to shout a little louder about our city's culture: birminghammail.co.uk/whats-on/art...
Surrealism has arrived on the streets of Solihull
Surreal Solihull will take place until May 31, 2025 on Solihull High Street and in a pop-up gallery inside Touchwood
birminghammail.co.uk
March 7, 2025 at 3:43 PM
For @birminghamlive.bsky.social I spoke to comedy legend Stewart Lee about Birmingham's overlooked Surrealist Emmy Bridgwater (whose house was on his paper round). I agree with him - we all need to shout a little louder about our city's culture: birminghammail.co.uk/whats-on/art...
Reposted by Ruth Millington
Taking off 🦅
Read about Solihull's striking bird sculptures in this story by @ruthmillington.bsky.social 👉 buff.ly/kMsr7Wi
'Beyond all Limits' by Luke Burton © the artist. 📷 Ruth Millington
Read about Solihull's striking bird sculptures in this story by @ruthmillington.bsky.social 👉 buff.ly/kMsr7Wi
'Beyond all Limits' by Luke Burton © the artist. 📷 Ruth Millington
Taking off: public art in Solihull | Art UK
Discover artworks, explore venues and meet artists. Art UK is the online home for every public collection in the UK, featuring over 500,000 artworks by over 55,000 artists.
buff.ly
March 7, 2025 at 12:16 PM
Taking off 🦅
Read about Solihull's striking bird sculptures in this story by @ruthmillington.bsky.social 👉 buff.ly/kMsr7Wi
'Beyond all Limits' by Luke Burton © the artist. 📷 Ruth Millington
Read about Solihull's striking bird sculptures in this story by @ruthmillington.bsky.social 👉 buff.ly/kMsr7Wi
'Beyond all Limits' by Luke Burton © the artist. 📷 Ruth Millington
Reposted by Ruth Millington
Launching today: 'Surreal Solihull'
A public on-street exhibition celebrating the legacy of the Solihull Surrealists, showcasing specially-created artworks by 30 local artists
Curated by @ruthmillington.bsky.social
Photos by yours truly. On until 31st May
A public on-street exhibition celebrating the legacy of the Solihull Surrealists, showcasing specially-created artworks by 30 local artists
Curated by @ruthmillington.bsky.social
Photos by yours truly. On until 31st May
March 6, 2025 at 8:39 PM
Launching today: 'Surreal Solihull'
A public on-street exhibition celebrating the legacy of the Solihull Surrealists, showcasing specially-created artworks by 30 local artists
Curated by @ruthmillington.bsky.social
Photos by yours truly. On until 31st May
A public on-street exhibition celebrating the legacy of the Solihull Surrealists, showcasing specially-created artworks by 30 local artists
Curated by @ruthmillington.bsky.social
Photos by yours truly. On until 31st May
Overnight, something surreal may have arrived in Solihull
March 5, 2025 at 9:34 AM
Overnight, something surreal may have arrived in Solihull
For @artukdotorg.bsky.social I wrote about Solihull's striking bird sculptures and the power of public art to transform a place. There's more on its way to the borough this week!
artuk.org/discover/sto...
artuk.org/discover/sto...
March 4, 2025 at 7:27 AM
For @artukdotorg.bsky.social I wrote about Solihull's striking bird sculptures and the power of public art to transform a place. There's more on its way to the borough this week!
artuk.org/discover/sto...
artuk.org/discover/sto...
'A Dove Has Spread Her Wings and Asks for Peace' by Maria Primachenko, 1982
March 1, 2025 at 9:00 AM
'A Dove Has Spread Her Wings and Asks for Peace' by Maria Primachenko, 1982
NEW column: For too long, women have been told to choose between children and a creative career. However, 12 artist-mothers have shattered this myth with their playful exhibition MOTHERSHIP at Birmingham's Stryx Gallery
ruthmillington.co.uk/women-artist...
ruthmillington.co.uk/women-artist...
'Mothership': Stryx Gallery exhibition celebrates artist-mothers' creativity | Ruth Millington
12 artist-mothers prove that motherhood is a source of play, imagination and creativity which enhances their practice at Stryx Gallery
ruthmillington.co.uk
February 28, 2025 at 8:05 AM
NEW column: For too long, women have been told to choose between children and a creative career. However, 12 artist-mothers have shattered this myth with their playful exhibition MOTHERSHIP at Birmingham's Stryx Gallery
ruthmillington.co.uk/women-artist...
ruthmillington.co.uk/women-artist...
Giant beetles are crawling towards the Midlands, where 'Surreal Solihull' opens in just 1 week! The FREE exhibition is accompanied by a programme of performances, children's workshops and more. Expect the unexpected...
mailchi.mp/ichoosebirmi...
mailchi.mp/ichoosebirmi...
February 27, 2025 at 8:03 AM
Giant beetles are crawling towards the Midlands, where 'Surreal Solihull' opens in just 1 week! The FREE exhibition is accompanied by a programme of performances, children's workshops and more. Expect the unexpected...
mailchi.mp/ichoosebirmi...
mailchi.mp/ichoosebirmi...
'The Late Sleeper' by Birmingham surrealist Conroy Maddox, 1973
February 26, 2025 at 10:32 AM
'The Late Sleeper' by Birmingham surrealist Conroy Maddox, 1973
1 week to go! So printing in action for Surreal Solihull 👁
February 26, 2025 at 9:59 AM
1 week to go! So printing in action for Surreal Solihull 👁
Rule no. 1 for women artists: do not get married to a great male artist. He will eclipse you for eternity, as the title of this feature proves!
www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2...
www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2...
Bronze sculpture by Rodin’s lover found in abandoned Paris flat sells for €3.1m
Figurine made by Camille Claudel depicts her ‘descent into hell’ after separating from artist
www.telegraph.co.uk
February 17, 2025 at 6:34 PM
Rule no. 1 for women artists: do not get married to a great male artist. He will eclipse you for eternity, as the title of this feature proves!
www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2...
www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2...
'Allegory of Winter' by Remedios Varo, 1948
February 16, 2025 at 12:38 PM
'Allegory of Winter' by Remedios Varo, 1948
Can't wait to see MAC's spring exhibitions! The galleries will centre 2 female artists who've taken their own bodies, families, motherhood and domestic spaces as inspiration for feminist work. The 'Family Album' by Marcia Michael and Su Richardson: In Stitches - both open Fri 14 March!
February 14, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Can't wait to see MAC's spring exhibitions! The galleries will centre 2 female artists who've taken their own bodies, families, motherhood and domestic spaces as inspiration for feminist work. The 'Family Album' by Marcia Michael and Su Richardson: In Stitches - both open Fri 14 March!
Long overdue, the leading role of the artist's muse is being celebrated in a spate of museum exhibitions. Delighted to see Leigh Bowery! at Tate, plus Matisse and Marguerite at Musée d’Art Moderne opening soon!
www.theguardian.com/artanddesign...
www.theguardian.com/artanddesign...
Matisse’s muse: new exhibition dedicated to the illegitimate daughter he spent a lifetime painting
Marguerite, who survived diphtheria and torture by the Gestapo, is the focus of Musée d’Art Moderne showcase
www.theguardian.com
February 9, 2025 at 12:32 PM
Long overdue, the leading role of the artist's muse is being celebrated in a spate of museum exhibitions. Delighted to see Leigh Bowery! at Tate, plus Matisse and Marguerite at Musée d’Art Moderne opening soon!
www.theguardian.com/artanddesign...
www.theguardian.com/artanddesign...
1 month to go! Until Solihull's streets transform into something surreal...
www.birminghammail.co.uk/whats-on/art...
www.birminghammail.co.uk/whats-on/art...
Free outdoor art exhibition coming to Solihull
Surreal Solihull has been inspired by pioneering local artist Emmy Bridgwater
www.birminghammail.co.uk
February 6, 2025 at 9:57 AM
1 month to go! Until Solihull's streets transform into something surreal...
www.birminghammail.co.uk/whats-on/art...
www.birminghammail.co.uk/whats-on/art...
Reposted by Ruth Millington
This year marks the 400th anniversary of the death of Sofonisba Anguissola. In her honor, all Art Herstory Sofonisba products are on sale at 25% off throughout 2025, on our online and Etsy stores!
Sofonisba Anguissola Note Card Wallet | 8 cards and envelopes www.etsy.com/listing/1674... via Etsy
Sofonisba Anguissola Note Card Wallet | 8 cards and envelopes www.etsy.com/listing/1674... via Etsy
February 5, 2025 at 12:53 PM
This year marks the 400th anniversary of the death of Sofonisba Anguissola. In her honor, all Art Herstory Sofonisba products are on sale at 25% off throughout 2025, on our online and Etsy stores!
Sofonisba Anguissola Note Card Wallet | 8 cards and envelopes www.etsy.com/listing/1674... via Etsy
Sofonisba Anguissola Note Card Wallet | 8 cards and envelopes www.etsy.com/listing/1674... via Etsy
Emmy Bridgwater, 'Night Time Phoenix', c.1945
February 5, 2025 at 7:07 PM
Emmy Bridgwater, 'Night Time Phoenix', c.1945
Inside the fantastical mind of artist, director and storyteller Tim Burton @designmuseum.bsky.social
February 1, 2025 at 4:59 PM
Inside the fantastical mind of artist, director and storyteller Tim Burton @designmuseum.bsky.social
So pleased to see this coverage of Surreal Solihull! www.bbc.com/news/article...
Exhibition to celebrate Solihull's link to Surrealism
Surreal Solihull will include the work of Emmy Bridgwater and new work from 30 local artists.
www.bbc.com
February 1, 2025 at 8:35 AM
So pleased to see this coverage of Surreal Solihull! www.bbc.com/news/article...
For my first column of 2025, I wrote about great British Surrealist Emmy Bridgwater and a new exhibition I'm curating in her honour. Opens 6 March in Solihull!
thecoretheatresolihull.co.uk/whats-on/all...
thecoretheatresolihull.co.uk/whats-on/all...
January 30, 2025 at 8:04 AM
For my first column of 2025, I wrote about great British Surrealist Emmy Bridgwater and a new exhibition I'm curating in her honour. Opens 6 March in Solihull!
thecoretheatresolihull.co.uk/whats-on/all...
thecoretheatresolihull.co.uk/whats-on/all...
I always love speaking about Warrington's "secret Lowry" Eric Tucker, but particularly when there's a brilliant new book about his incredible art and life story soon to be published... theguardian.com/artanddesign... @canongate.co.uk
‘Secret Lowry’: the ex-gravedigger who painted northern life, from factory to fuggy pub
He repaired his car with Sellotape and kept his trousers up with rope. But Eric Tucker had a hidden life – painting drinkers, smokers and factory-workers without saccharine or sentiment. Now a book ce...
theguardian.com
January 23, 2025 at 2:19 PM
I always love speaking about Warrington's "secret Lowry" Eric Tucker, but particularly when there's a brilliant new book about his incredible art and life story soon to be published... theguardian.com/artanddesign... @canongate.co.uk