Women's Museum opens in Barking with nuns exhibition

The Women's Museum has opened in east London - with its first exhibition about nuns.

The attraction opened in Barking Wharf Square on International Women's Day.

Its first exhibition, An Idea of a Life, looks at the history of the abbesses and nuns who lived in Barking Abbey from the 7th Century to the early 16th Century.

Saima Ashraf, Barking and Dagenham Council deputy leader, called it a "brilliant addition to the arts".

The museum is run by New Town Culture, a council-led curatorial programme.

The first exhibition, curated by artist Nephertiti Schandorf, examines historical female leadership and the role of the abbess, the head of an abbey of nuns.

It boasts new artwork by Meera Shakti Osborne, Lesley Asare and Sarina Mantle and depictions of archaeological objects excavated from the area.

New Town Culture said the museum would be an "inclusive place, platforming the ideas, issues and histories relating to women, girls, transgender and nonbinary communities through art and culture from the local area and beyond".

The museum will host a range of exhibitions and activities throughout the year.

AnnMarie Peña, strategic head of culture and heritage at the council, said the museum was "a major development", adding that "at a time of significant economic and social pressures it is more important than ever".

The project has been supported with funding from the mayor of London, the National Heritage Lottery Fund, Arts Council England, the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and Community Infrastructure Levy funds.

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