In her long career, Knight was among the most successful and popular painters in Britain. Her success in the male-dominated British art establishment paved the way for greater status and recognition for women artists.

In 1929 she was created a Dame, and in 1936 became the first woman elected to full membership of the Royal Academy. Her large retrospective exhibition at the Royal Academy in 1965 was the first for a woman. Knight was known for painting amidst the world of the theatre and ballet in London, and for being a war artist during the Second World War. She was also greatly interested in, and inspired by, marginalised communities and individuals.

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Prior to painting this, my work had been rather dull and academic for I was unable to see what I wanted and how I wanted to express it. Now I know, that is why I’m so delighted you have this picture of my three children. I couldn’t wish for better fate for it. Incidentally I had offers for it for reproduction before lending it to the R.A. (Royal Academy) that I turned down and I am glad I did. I keep my head above water by doing publicity and illustration work and portraits. I love painting gay pictures – happy ones…

My life is entirely centred in my wife, three children, my painting and music, and these subjects not of great publicity value I’m afraid – I think Sims said somewhere that there were two ways of painting: “Look what a clever devil I am” or “See how lovely this is”, I am trying to follow the latter way.”

Although well known for his paintings of animals, Landseer’s best known works would be the lion sculptures in Trafalgar Square.

During an age when sentimentality pervaded the fine arts, Landseer often invested his animals with human characteristics. However the sentimental view was frequently at odds with the true nature of the animals he painted, who despite their sweet and charming appearance are also capable of aggressive and violent action: The puppy playfully teasing the frog is equally capable of killing his toy.

Fun fact: Landseer was rumoured to be able to paint with both hands at the same time.

Clytie was a water nymph from Greek mythology. She was in love with Helios, the god of the sun, who left her for another nymph. Clytie was, as to be expected, not best pleased.

Intending to win her love back she told the other nymph’s father who then went and buried his own daughter alive. This only hardened Helios’ heart and he left Clytie to longingly watch him fly across the sky each day. Clytie lay herself naked for nine days on the rocks, simply staring at the sun, without drinking or eating anything. On the ninth day, she was transformed into a sunflower, always turning to face the sun.

The drama of it all! This sculpture has a sense of mournful camp but camp nonetheless.

The head is made of a deep layer of good quality wax and has open blue glass eyes, a smiling painted red mouth, pinprick nostrils and a distinct septum, mouth and chin. Overall the features of the face have been carefully modelled including eyelids, ears and eyebrows. She has brown painted eyelids and eyebrows. The doll has a long brown wavy mohair wig made of several layers. One layer is attached through the head and longer layers are glued to the wax surface.

The doll’s blue suit and hat are trimmed with white swansdown. We love her, how CAMP!

card at the request of his friend Sir Henry Cole (the first director of the Victoria and Albert Museum). 1000 of Cole’s cards were put on sale at a pricy 1 shilling each. The venture wasn’t initially successful but it inspired other artists  to create the forerunners of the modern Christmas card. Many of the older cards don’t seem very festive, one features a puppy bursting through a blue-and-white china plate ‘Alien-style’.

Many of the cards show animals doing weird and wonderful human things such as kittens getting married – complete with cat vicar in a cassock and surplice! The more modern cards also feature lots of cute animals, usually wearing ribbons and gazing lovingly through mostly lenses. Très camp.

Here is a Dick Whittington silent film poster from 1913. It was rescued from a now demolished Prince’s Theatre in Preston. The Prince’s Theatre  opened in 1881, changed its name to the Gaiety Theatre in 1885, and was  renamed Prince’s again between 1885-1889. In 1961 it was converted into a Bingo Club and was derelict by 1961.

This colourful poster is made up of three parts and was printed by Stafford and Company and features Dick (in his kitten heels) and his pussycat, on their way to London. Look who’s in the background – this cheeky cow!

Have you ever seen such a big Dick poster? Could this be any more camp? We think not!

She wears a reflective headdress, epaulettes and apron, a Carnival sash and a huge back piece in a sunburst design.

This photograph is so beautiful, absolute heaven and so camp.

Preston Carnival is still running to this day and attracts thousands of visitors each year. Every June, Preston comes alive as the city dances to the rhythms of the Caribbean.