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The largest ever survey of the work of Vanessa Bell (1879–1961) until February 23, 2025 at MK Gallery in Milton Keynes.
Vanessa Bell, Landscape (verso), 1915, Oil on canvas, The Wilson, Cheltenham
Vanessa Bell: A World of Form and Colour surveys Bell’s entire career for the first time and presents a complete picture of the range of her practice through more than 140 works across paintings, drawings, furniture, ceramics, designs for murals, advertising and book covers, some of which have rarely been seen before. A major highlight of the show is the Famous Women Dinner Service, a collection of hand-painted plates featuring portraits of prominent woman from history, created by Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant.
Vanessa Bell (1879–1961) was a pioneering modernist painter and founding member of the Bloomsbury Group, a circle of influential English artists, writers and intellectuals in the first half of the twentieth century. Bell’s unique work was at the forefront of British abstraction. At the same time, she helped to create conditions in which artists, including women, could flourish. This involved organising the ‘Friday Club’ for artists to meet and co-founding the experimental design collective, Omega Workshops. Collaboration formed an essential part of Bell’s approach to art.
Vanessa Bell, Interior with the Artist’s Daughter, c. 1935 – 1936, Oil on canvas, Charleston
MK Gallery’s exhibition has been organised in collaboration with Charleston, in Sussex, the home of Vanessa Bell and her fellow painter, Duncan Grant. It is curated by Anthony Spira, Director, and Fay Blanchard, Head of Exhibitions at MK Gallery. The exhibition includes major loans from public and private collections including TheCourtauld and Charleston. A new lavishly illustrated catalogue accompanies the exhibition, published by Philip Wilson.
Calliope Arts is providing support to the exhibition through the Vanessa Bell Circle of Friends.
Vanessa Bell: A World of Form and Colour
Exhibition on show until 23 February 2025
MK Gallery, 900 Midsummer Boulevard, Milton Keynes
Tuesday – Sunday 10am – 5pm. Closed Mondays
Note: This description is an excerpt of the exhibition’s press release.
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