A MULTI-MEDIA exhibition shines the spotlight on the women who work the land across the county.

Tracing the Landscape: Cumbrian Farm Women runs at Abbot Hall Art Gallery, in Kendal, from Friday March 2 to Saturday June 9.

In the male-dominated world of farming, women who make their mark in agriculture will be the focus of this new exhibition by Patricia MacKinnon-Day, which has been commissioned by Lakeland Arts.

During the exhibition, visitors will immerse themselves in the stories of these five farm women by entering specially-created sheds in the gallery to watch individual films about their lives.

A play stimulating all senses, each shed will feature historic agricultural objects from the Museum of Lakeland Life and Industry, part of Lakeland Arts' collection, as well as possessions and materials chosen by the women.

Tracing the Landscape examines female roles in farming, their hopes, frustrations and place in an industry often seen as a ‘man’s world’. They each have wide-ranging, passionate and differing views on their industry, but are united as women farmers.

Patricia MacKinnon-Day said: “To these five women, farming is not a job but a way of life. It is in their blood.

"Male voices around farming are well-documented, however women are often overlooked. Women farmers always seem pushed into the background. I wanted to bring the stories of this often marginalised group to the fore."

  • A special panel event linked to the exhibition takes place at Abbot Hall on Thursday March 22, from 6pm. Women in Conversation will explore life in the rural landscape and issues affecting farming today. During the event exhibition artist, Patricia MacKinnon-Day will be joined by Sian Lincoln, ethnographer and communications lecturer at Liverpool John Moores University.