Dr. Althea Greenan, Curator of the Women’s Art Library at Goldsmiths, University of London has been an incredible influence on Ceri Hand’s own creative and professional journey. During their time working together at the Women’s Art Library and make magazine from 1998 to 2002, she was not only a mentor but a constant source of humour, encouragement, and belief. Althea helped shape the way Ceri thinks about archives, feminism, and art.
In this episode, Althea shares her remarkable journey from volunteering at the Women Artists Slide Library in the late 1980s to becoming a respected expert in feminist archiving. Her work spans landmark initiatives like the Women of Colour Index and consultations on major exhibitions such as Women in Revolt at Tate. But more than her impressive CV, it’s Althea’s deeply thoughtful approach—infused with curiosity, humour, and care—that makes her such a vital force in the world of art and activism.
Together, we explore how archives are far more than repositories of the past. For Althea, they are spaces of potential—places where creativity, activism, and connection come together to spark new ways of thinking. From working with Helen Chadwick’s annotated library to championing the revolutionary act of self-archiving, Althea reveals the powerful ways feminist archives shape both history and the future.
You’ll hear her reflections on the role of “embodied knowledge,” the overlooked artistry of slide collections, and the joy of rediscovering figures like Jo Spence and Pauline Boty. This episode is full of insight, warmth, and inspiration—reminding us that every act of preservation can also be an act of transformation.
What We Learned from Althea Greenan
Archives aren’t just about preserving the past. They’re about building futures. Tune in to this rich and inspiring conversation with Althea Greenan.
