A PIONEERING Colchester exhibition celebrating women has been depicted in a series of pictures snapped by our Gazette Camera Club photographers.

Curated by one of Britain’s most significant contemporary artists, Sarah Lucas, Firstsite's BIG WOMEN display features the work of more than 20 high profile female artists.

The unique display is made to “make you think, laugh and reflect on the role women play in the creative world.”

Gazette: Upside down - a range of artists have worked on the displayUpside down - a range of artists have worked on the display (Image: Ant Niles Decorator)

Gazette: This way - the exhibition launched in FebruaryThis way - the exhibition launched in February (Image: Ant Niles Decorator)

Gazette: Unique - one of the pieces on showUnique - one of the pieces on show (Image: Ant Niles Decorator)

Works included in the BIG WOMEN exhibition range from sculpture, painting, film and fashion, with works by artists including Renata Adela, Fiona Banner and Kate Boxer.

The artists claim their work has been inspired by conversations with friends and fellow colleagues and explores the questions and themes relating to womanhood.

Ms Lucas said: “The fashion and advertising media concentrates on young female beauty.

Gazette: Funny - the art is designed to make people laugh and reflect on the role women playFunny - the art is designed to make people laugh and reflect on the role women play (Image: Ant Niles Decorator)

Gazette: Bullish - the exhibition is entitled BIG WOMENBullish - the exhibition is entitled BIG WOMEN (Image: Ant Niles Decorator)

Gazette: Popular - the show was curated by Sarah LucasPopular - the show was curated by Sarah Lucas (Image: Ant Niles Decorator)

“The older woman is often overlooked, irrelevant, without currency. We live in an increasingly ageist society and this affects women disproportionately.

“I see BIG WOMEN as both an endorsement and a celebration of women’s achievement in the creative field. It aspires to be thought provoking, funny, serious, attractive and fun.

Gazette: Stand em up - the artists claim their work is inspired by friends and colleaguesStand em up - the artists claim their work is inspired by friends and colleagues (Image: Ant Niles Decorator)

Gazette: Different - the work on display is certainly uniqueDifferent - the work on display is certainly unique (Image: Ant Niles Decorator)

Gazette: Wow - this piece particularly catches the eyeWow - this piece particularly catches the eye (Image: Ant Niles Decorator)

“God knows we need it in these times dominated by male aggression, politicking, greed, war and pig-headedness.”

The exhibition continues at Firstsite in Lewis Gardens until June 18.