The London Group
The London Group is an artists' exhibiting society based in London, England, founded in 1913, when the Camden Town Group came together with the English Vorticists and other independent artists to challenge the domination of the Royal Academy, which had become unadventurous and conservative.[1] Founding artists included Walter Sickert, Jacob Epstein, Wyndham Lewis and Henri Gaudier-Brzeska. Throughout its history The London Group has consistently held open submission exhibitions to encourage and support other artists struggling to get their work shown in public. The open submissions are shown along with the work of existing members and guest artists.
One of the oldest standing artist led organisations in the world The London Group continues to exist today with over 80 members. In 2011 the open exhibition presented over 140 artists at the Cello Factory. The group is currently building toward its 100th anniversary in 2013 with several planned shows, both historical and contemporary.
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[edit] Overview
The London Group is composed of working artists. All forms of art are represented. The group functions democratically without dogma or style.[2] It has a written constitution, annually elected officers, working committees and a selection committee. There are usually between 80 and 100 members and an annual fee is charged to cover gallery hire and organisational costs. The group has no permanent exhibition venue and rents gallery space in London, most recently at the Menier Gallery, Bankside Gallery and Cello Factory. Most years see several new members being voted in, from nominations made by current members.
[edit] Prominent Members
The London Group has supported many of the most celebrated British artists of the twentieth century. Below is a selection listed approximately in chronological order of membership.
[edit] Presidents 1914-present
Presidents, with date of election to the London Group in brackets referenced from the group's archives.[2]
| President | Served |
|---|---|
| Harold Gilman (Founder Member 1913) | 1914–1918 |
| Robert Bevan (Founder Member 1913, Treasurer until 1919) | 1918–1921 (Caretaker President) |
| Bernard Adeney (1913) | 1921–1923 (Founder Member 1913) |
| Frank Dobson (1922) | 1924–1926 |
| Rupert Lee (1922) | 1926–1936 |
| H. S. Williamson (Harold Sandys) (1933) | 1937–1943 (Chairman) |
| Elliott Seabrooke (1920) | Assumed Presidency during World War II, 1943–1948 |
| Ruskin Spear (1940–43) | 1948–1951 |
| John Dodgson (1947) | 1951–1952 |
| Claude Rogers (1938) | 1952–1966 |
| Andrew Forge (1960) | 1966–1971 |
| Dorothy Mead (1960) | 1971–1973 |
| Neville Boden (1964) | 1973–1977 |
| Peter Donnelly (1973) | 1977–1979 |
| Stan Smith (1975) | 1979–1993 (1979–81 period of reorganisation, evidence unclear) |
| Dennis Creffield (1962) | 1983 (for 24 hours) |
| Adrian Bartlett (1981) | 1993–1995 |
| Philippa Beale (1977) | 1995–1998 |
| Matthew Kolakowski (1990) | 1998–2000 |
| Peter Clossick (1999) | 2000–2005 |
| Philip Crozier (2001) | 2005–2007 |
| Susan Haire (2004) | 2007 – present |
[edit] References
- ^ Wilcox, Denys J.The London Group, 1913-1939: the artists and their works. Scholar Press, 1995
- ^ a b Redfern, David The London Group: origins and Post War history. 2008
