Art exhibition: Making Connections

Specialist mid-century art dealers Fifties Art are joining forces with Modern British Art expert Neil Schofield to showcase a stunning collection of works from stars of the 1960s and ’70s – including Patrick Heron, Elisabeth Frink, David Hockney, Henry Moore and John Piper – at 67 York Street Gallery in Marylebone this autumn.

Running 21^st – 27^th October, Making Connections – Abstraction and Modern British Art will present a fresh and dynamic range of work from a time of experimentation with abstract art in the spirit of modernism.

Delving into the stories and works of the St Ives School, including Ben Nicholson, Wilhelmina Barns‑Graham and Patrick Heron, plus Henry Moore, John Piper and more, the show aims to introduce new collectors to a wealth of affordable works from this exciting community of artists.

Neil says: “The St Ives School was an influential circle of artists who gathered in St Ives from the 1920s to the ’60s, inspired by its light, landscape, and a spirit of modernist experimentation. It was never a formal academy but rather a dynamic, interconnected community. It brought together self-taught artists, modernist innovators, sculptors, painters, and potters who inspired each other – forming one of Britain’s most important art movements in the 20th century.

We will have some wonderful pieces from artists central to this movement on show, a fascinating chance to explore exciting techniques and perspectives that are still very relevant today.”

Richard Turkington, Fifties Art Founder, says: “This is a diverse collection of paintings, prints and fabrics that brings to life the ways this forward-thinking community of artists pushed boundaries and subverted expectations, bringing more vitality to the abstract art movement. Whilst the 1950s were characterised by austerity and post–war recovery, the art of the 1960s and ‘70s broke free from convention, pushing the boundaries towards experimentation and abstraction.

Many of the artists represented in this collection – such as David Hockney and Howard Hodgkin – came to prominence in the ‘60s and ‘70s – whilst more established artists such as Henry Moore and John Piper took advantage of the changing climate to develop new artistic ideas and approaches.”

Fifties Art also specialise in the works of John Piper, best known for his extensive studies of British architecture, especially churches, and for landscapes in oil, watercolour and print. His work is often characterised by a bold use of colour, dynamic composition and an ability to capture the character of a place with a strong sense of atmosphere.

Richard and Neil will be providing a curators’ guided tour of the exhibition, 6 – 7.30pm on Thursday 23^rd October, providing further insights into the artists, their works and the connections between them.

For more information please visit fiftiesart.com.

DISCOVER ANOTHER ART STORY HERE.