New Gestures: Experiments in British Painting in the 1950s and 60s

19 Apr-18 May 2023

Sir Terry Frost, Orange and Black, Leeds, 1955

Overview

We are delighted to present an exhibition of paintings from the 1950s and 60s by artists united in their excitement for a new exploration of abstraction. Although these artists had a shared sense of the local, they also shared a similar vision to those attributed to international movements such as Abstract Expressionism, and Tachisme, movements that ignited a new creativity and vibrancy in British painting. Artists drew inspiration from nature, music, dance, primitivism, mythology as well as a desire to redefine the canvas, producing bold and innovative paintings.

Included is an important early work by St Ives artist Terry Frost Orange and Black, Leeds1957 a vibrant abstract work yet rooted in the natural world and inspired by the open expanse of the Yorkshire Dales where he worked from 1954-1957. A dynamic and spontaneous painting by Alan Davie from the 1960s is exhibited. Davie’s concern was the activity of painting itself “be it a physical one (like a dance) or as an improvisation with ideas or concepts, and we must contrive to pay as little attention as possible to the end towards we are moving”. These ideas were also harnessed by Gillian Ayres in her early work and a radical ‘action’ painting by the artist from 1952 is on show.

Artists exhibited include: Gillian Ayres, Alan Davie, Robyn Denny, Sir Terry Frost, Stephen Gilbert, Roger Hilton, Peter Lanyon, Alexander Mackenzie, William Scott and Bryan Wynter.