‘Kingston School of Art: 140 Years’, 5 February – 21 March 2015

From art classes held in Kingston in 1875, through the opening of Knights Park in 1939 to a vibrant global institution within Kingston University, this exhibition highlights the people, atmosphere, creative life and works of Kingston School of Art.

Focusing on eight landmark moments from the first art classes held in Kingston town centre in 1875 to the present day, a wealth of art and design works, photographs, films and archival material narrate this fascinating history.

From Alfred Collister and Archibald Knox – the first design master – and the breakaway Knox Guild formed in 1912, and the painter Reginald Brill who secured a purpose built art school in 1939, the exhibition showcases art school practices in fashion, graphics, illustration, fine art, architecture, interior and furniture design. Encompassing such key events as WW2 model making and the Recording Britain project; The 1951 Festival of Britain; the post-war Golden Lane Estate and Barbican; 1960s counterculture, and fine art and design practices from the 1970s to now, it includes over 150 works, objects and photographs, drawn from public and private collections, including the Imperial War Museum, the Government Art Collection and the V&A.

Frank Archer – Fiona Banner – John Bratby – John Dawson Binns – Christoph Bonn – Reginald Brill – Daphne Brooker – Eric Brown – Lionel Bulmer – Peter Chamberlin – Vivien Chan – Alfred Collister – Warner Cooke – Deborah Curtis – Richard Demarco – Aidron Duckworth – Wilfred Fairclough – Elsie Few – Barbara Constance Freeman – Gertrude Harris – Marcia Gibson-Watt – Dora Gordine – Arthur Henderson (Harry) Hall – Carole Hodgson – Jim Holdaway – Constance Howard – Derek Hyatt – Howard Karslake – Morris Kestelman – Archibald Knox – Knox Guild – Augustus Lunn – David Mach – Jack Millar – Jasper Morrison – Clarissa New – Laura Oldfield Ford – Harold Wilson Parker – Don Pavey – Edwin (Eddie) Pickett – Geoffry Powell – William Plunkett – John Robson – Helen Storey – Janos Stryck – Andy Tittensor – Denise Tuckfield – Winifred Tuckfield – Gavin Turk – and more

The exhibition is curated by Robert Knifton and Fran Lloyd Archive Kingston School of Art at Kingston University’s Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture. Royal Borough of Kingston have worked in partnership with the University to develop the exhibition which has been made possible through funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund and The Henry Moore Foundation. The exhibition will be open to the public from 6th February.

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