For its latest exhibition, Lewisham Arthouse asked female artists to submit drawings. Kerry Ann Eustice went along to the gallery to see their diverse response to the brief

MOST people's earliest memories of drawing will date back to childhood. And their most recent memories of drawing? That'll be childhood again, most probably. Yet, drawing is back on the arts agenda, driven by large-scale, national initiatives such as the Big Draw and the Jerwood Drawing Prize.

It's on the agenda closer to home too. Many of Lewisham Arthouse's latest exhibits and events have been drawing led or focused.

"Drawing is more than just using a pencil." - Alison Day

With an International Women's Week slant, its latest exhibition, The Power of Drawing invited female artists in and around Lewisham to submit work inspired by the idea of drawing in the broadest sense.

"Drawing is more than just using a pencil," said curator and Arthouse volunteer Alison Day, whose work is featured.

An understatement when you scan the collection; there's sculpture, prints, photography and even gauged paint.

"Our artists are interested in the wider concept of drawing, hence the variety of modern work," said Alison, going some way to explain the mixed bag of media and ideas here.

Inevitably, there are some fascinating pieces. Take Heather Steed's Journey in the Red Van, a piece with child-like vibrancy which on closer inspection reveals a sophisticated and complex cityscape packed with dozens of stories and characters. And Georgie Manley who infuses traditional line work with humour in Cornflakes #1; a spoof scientific-style illustration, meticulously documenting her bowl of cereal.

"You can express something with a mark you can't do in other ways." - Alison Day

Despite this diversity, there are plenty of common themes.

Family in particular, which Alison feels reflects the artists' position in the home (where many of the women would have created their work) and their response to life in general.

In an effort to sum up the relaxed and contemplative feel of the collection, Alison said: "To draw is an interesting way of empowering, expressing feelings, ideas and emotion. You can express something with a mark you can't do in other ways."

Power of Drawing until March 16. Lewisham Arthouse, Lewisham Way, New Cross. 020 8694 9011.

To see a selection of work from the collection click here