Outside the lines. Women artists and war

26 Sep 2024 — 5 Jan 2025 at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa, Canada

12 October 2024

Anique Jordan, Sixth company battalion, 2016. Courtesy of the Canadian War Museum

Get a different perspective on war and conflict through the eyes of women artists.

Explore the evolving perspectives of women on war and conflict in Outside the lines, the newest Canadian War Museum exhibition. Discover Canada’s military history through works made by 52 women artists over more than two centuries, including paintings, sculptures, textiles and more.

Women have traditionally been overlooked in accounts of wars. With this important exhibition, we are proud to be shining a much-deserved spotlight on women artists and their perspectives.

(James Whitham, director feneral of the Canadian War Museum)

The study of war is morally complicated. War is compromising. War is horrible and it is important. And it can be exciting and intriguing.

(Gertrude Kearns, Artist, Outside the lines)

Canadian War Museum

The Canadian War Museum is Canada’s national museum of military history and one of the world’s most respected museums for the study and understanding of armed conflict.

Museum profile

Location

Ottawa, Canada

Founded in

1880

Brenda Bury, Major Edna Esther Andrews. Courtesy of the Canadian War Museum

Beverley Tosh, One way passage, 2001. Courtesy of the Canadian War Museum

Cathryne Blackley Armstrong, Decontamination squad, around 1942–1944. Courtesy of the Canadian War Museum

Brenda Bury, Major Edna Esther Andrews. Courtesy of the Canadian War Museum
Beverley Tosh, One way passage, 2001. Courtesy of the Canadian War Museum
Cathryne Blackley Armstrong, Decontamination squad, around 1942–1944. Courtesy of the Canadian War Museum

Beverley Tosh, One way passage, 2001. Courtesy of the Canadian War Museum
Cathryne Blackley Armstrong, Decontamination squad, around 1942–1944. Courtesy of the Canadian War Museum
Brenda Bury, Major Edna Esther Andrews. Courtesy of the Canadian War Museum