Rare Fleur O'Mahoney Thatcherism The Unholy Years 1996 Political Art Archive

Rare 1996 Fleur O’Mahoney – Thatcherism: The Unholy Years – Margaret Thatcher Political Satirical Art Collection with Original Exhibition Ephemera

An extraordinary and highly unusual collection of British political art and exhibition memorabilia relating to Margaret Thatcher and the controversial years of Thatcherism.

Created by Irish-born artist Fleur O’Mahoney, this fascinating collection documents her provocative exhibition “Thatcherism: The Unholy Years”, held at the Mermaid Theatre Gallery, London, from 3rd–25th October 1996.

A remarkable piece of British political and artistic history, combining satire, portraiture and social commentary.

The Artwork – Thatcherism: A Portrait

The centrepiece is a large presentation sheet entitled “THATCHERISM – A PORTRAIT”, displaying 28 numbered satirical portraits of Margaret Thatcher, each presenting a different interpretation of the former Prime Minister.


The portraits explore Thatcher’s personality, political policies and legacy through humour, caricature and often biting criticism.


Among the wonderfully imaginative titles are:


* Fen Tiger

* Prime Minister

* Crusader of the Far Right

* Fantasist

* Capitalist

* Queen of the Yuppies

* Philosopher

* Nationalist

* Romantic

* Blonde Bombshell

* Little Englander

* Triumphalist

* Iron Lady

* Butcher

* Social Engineer

* Royal We

* Poll Tax Collector

* Iron Oxide Maggie

* Baroness Thatcher of Kesteven

The images range from recognisable portraits to increasingly distorted, surreal and theatrical interpretations of Thatcher.

Particularly striking is the portrait entitled “Romantic”, depicting Thatcher wearing rose-tinted spectacles, accompanied by the words:

“Chasing an illusion of a rosy past that never existed.”

Original Exhibition Documentation

Accompanying the artwork is a fascinating collection of printed material, including:

Mermaid Theatre Gallery Press Release – October 1996

An original period press release announcing Fleur O’Mahoney’s exhibition, Thatcherism: The Unholy Years.

The release describes the exhibition as 28 numbered portraits depicting Margaret Thatcher through distortion, mockery and satirical disguises, charting the political and social consequences of her premiership.


It also discusses the artist’s intentions and the development of the portraits, providing valuable contemporary documentation of the exhibition.


Dr ian Galleries Exhibition Catalogue – August 1979


Also included is an earlier exhibition document from Dr ian Galleries, 7 Porchester Place, Marble Arch, London, recording Fleur O’Mahoney’s exhibition of paintings held between 2nd and 15th August 1979.


This fascinating document includes biographical information about the artist and a numbered list of 30 exhibited paintings.


Additional Printed Portraits


The collection also includes separate printed examples of the “Romantic” portrait and further printed sheets reproducing the Thatcherism series.


About the Artist – Fleur O’Mahoney


Fleur O’Mahoney was born in Dublin in 1929 and spent part of her life in Brazil.


According to her 1979 exhibition documentation, she exhibited her work in both England and Rio de Janeiro, with examples already represented in private collections.


Her work frequently explored emotional, political and social themes.


In her 1996 exhibition, O’Mahoney used Margaret Thatcher’s familiar image as the basis for a series of striking transformations, combining repeated portraiture, humour and political criticism.


The resulting collection provides an intriguing example of late 20th-century British political satire.


Historical Significance


Margaret Thatcher remains one of the most influential and divisive figures in modern British political history.


This collection offers a fascinating artistic response to her years in power, created shortly after her premiership and presented during a period when her political legacy remained the subject of intense debate.


The accompanying period exhibition documentation adds considerable historical and archival interest.


Condition


Vintage and period printed material showing age-related wear, including some discolouration, marks, creasing and handling wear.


The large presentation sheet shows some wear and marks around its edges.


Please study the photographs carefully as they form an important part of the description.


An unusual opportunity to acquire a collection of British political art and contemporary exhibition ephemera associated with Fleur O’Mahoney’s 1996 Thatcherism exhibition.


Of potential interest to collectors of Margaret Thatcher memorabilia, political satire, British contemporary art, exhibition archives and 20th-century social history.


Offered together as one collection, exactly as photographed.