Painted out? Caroline is reframing women’s stories

We have a responsibility to correct historical oversights and ensure that women’s achievements are celebrated and remembered.
Dr Caroline Cauchi

Dr Caroline Cauchi

Senior Lecturer in Creative Writing

Niagara Falls

Dr Caroline Cauchi, is a Senior Lecturer in Creative Writing at the University of Hull and an international bestselling author. She is passionate about researching silenced voices and on the wider questions of ways in which women involved in creative pursuits have disappeared from historical narratives.

Caroline also examines how they are being reimagined in contemporary creative practice. She is especially interested in a novelist’s ethical and moral responsibilities when fictionalising a real life.

Caroline’s historical novel, ‘Mrs Van Gogh’, was published in 2023, and has been a bestseller in several territories. It examines how following Vincent van Gogh’s death in 1890 – penniless and unknown – 11 years later his work is exhibited in Paris and his unparalleled talent finally recognised. The tireless efforts of one woman gave the world one of its greatest creative minds. However, Johanna van Gogh-Bonger, Vincent’s sister-in-law and the keeper of his immense collection of paintings, sketches and letters, had been written out of history.

‘The Woman Who Went Over Niagara Falls in a Barrel’ is Caroline’s follow-up, published in 2024 and inspired by the life of Annie Edson Taylor - the first person to go over Niagara Falls in a barrel, over a decade before any male daredevil dared to do the same.

Can you tell us about your research into silenced voice and how women involved in creative pursuits have disappeared from historical narratives?

From my perspective, women in creative fields have often been erased from historical narratives. My research delves into this phenomenon by focusing on figures like Johanna van Gogh-Bonger, who played a crucial role in Vincent van Gogh’s posthumous fame. Despite her significant contributions, she, like many other women, has been overshadowed by male counterparts. This issue isn’t limited to art; it spans various fields where women’s work has been minimised or wrongly attributed to men.

Why is it important to highlight their stories and what are our responsibilities in doing so?

Highlighting these stories is essential for creating a more inclusive and accurate historical record. It’s about giving credit where it’s due and inspiring future generations. This isn't about being anti-men, but rather striving to be pro-women. We have a responsibility to correct historical oversights and ensure that women’s achievements are celebrated and remembered. This effort not only promotes gender equality but also enriches our cultural heritage.

What motivates you in your research?

What truly drives me is a commitment to gender equality and a passion for uncovering hidden stories of women who have been unjustly forgotten. Through my creative practice, I aim to challenge the patriarchal structures in historical narratives and provide a platform for women’s voices. Rewriting history with a balanced perspective is a key motivator for my academic research and creative work.

What impact will your research have in the coming years?

I hope my research will contribute to a broader movement towards gender equality in historical scholarship and the arts. By highlighting the overlooked contributions of women like Johanna van Gogh-Bonger, I aim to inspire others to continue exploring and bringing attention to erased women’s roles in history. This can lead to a more inclusive understanding of our past and a more equitable future for women in all creative fields. Through my novels, published internationally, I have the opportunity to reach a wide audience and bring these important stories to the forefront.

Niagara Falls image: shankar s. from Dubai, united arab emirates, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
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