Shoes - the Agony and the Ecstacy

About The Exhibition

Shoes are much more than simply an item of clothing - they can be objects of fantasy and desire, they can make us feel good or they can be instruments of torture and abuse.

Shoes: The Agony and the Ecstasy is a touring exhibition from Tyne & Wear Museums which celebrates footwear through the ages, asking why shoes can mean so much to us.

The exhibition examines our fixation with shoes, exploring obsession, fashion and function, as well as delving into the controversial topic of pain and pleasure.

Artists and designers included in the show are: Manolo Blahnik, Gaza Bowen, Lee and Julie Brewster, Thea Cadabra, Jimmy Choo, Patrick Cox, Maiko Dawson, Suhandan Özay Dermirkan, Theresa Easton, Salavatore Ferragamo, Georgina Goodman, Nicola Green, Lulu Guinness, Terry de Havilland, Tamara Henriques, Dean Hollowood, Nik Hutchinson, Emma Hope, Jeffrey-West, Francis Keay, Christian Louboutin, Olivia Morris, Adrin Neatrour, Beatrix Ong, Prada, Mary Quant, Red or Dead, Ali Rhind, Ellen Sampson, Prudence Emma Staite, Jenny Stolzenberg, Oliver Sweeney, Ted Taylor, Roger Vivier, Vivienne Westwood, Paul Wilson, Silvia Ziranek.

Shoes: The Agony and the Ecstasy would not have been possible without the generous support of Arts Council England, the North East Regional Museums Hub, the Daphne Bullard Trust and the Friends of the Shipley Art Gallery. The exhibition is sponsored by Tyne and Wear Museums Business Partners.

This is a touring exhibition

23rd June 07 - 7th October 07

South Shields Museum & Art Gallery
Ocean Road,
South Shields,
Tyne & Wear

Tel: 0191 456 8740

Opening Times:
Monday - Saturday: 10am - 5:30pm
Sunday: 1pm - 5pm