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Sybil Andrews, Cyril Power

Cutting Edge: Modernist British Printmaking

Dulwich Picture Gallery, London, UK:
June 19 – September 8, 2019
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Cyril Power, The Tube Train
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Ethel Spowers, Wet Afternoon
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Cyril Power, The Merry-Go-Round
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Leonard Beaumont, Nymphs Errant

Ten Artists. One revolution.

This summer, discover the pioneering printmakers who captured the spirit of 1930s Britain in this first major show of work from the Grosvenor School of Modern Art. Bringing together 120 prints, drawing and posters, Cutting Edge features iconic works from Claude Flight and eight of his leading students including Sybil Andrews, Cyril Power, Lill Tschudi, William Greengrass and Leonard Beaumont.

The School played a key role in the story of Modern art and quickly became a leading force in the production of printmaking – in particular, linocuts. The Grosvenor artists were renowned for their iconic, vibrant prints that championed the energy of contemporary life in the interwar years. Influenced by the radical expressions of Futurism, Vorticism and Cubism, the Grosvenor School gave its own unique interpretation of the contemporary world, incorporating art deco elements, a punchy geometric style and a vivid palette.

Cutting Edge champions the medium of the block-print linocut, which influential teacher and artist Claude Flight described as “an art of the people” due to its affordability and accessibility. Highlighting the radically changing times of the interwar period, the exhibition will explore themes of transport, speed and movement, industry, labour and sport and leisure, as well as showcasing the original tools, lino blocks and studies that revolutionised the printmaking process.

As part of the exhibition, Japanese paper cut artist, Nahoko Kojima will create a unique sculpture for the Gallery’s entrance hall. This installation will respond to the power of narrative and movement that is represented through the work of The Grosvenor School artist’s linocuts.