Artists' International Association
Encyclopedia
The Artists International Association or AIA was an organization founded in London
in 1933 out of discussion amongst Pearl Binder, Clifford Rowe, Misha Black, James Fitton, James Boswell, James Holland and Edward Ardizzone, the first meeting took place in Misha Black’s room at the Seven Dials.
Originally it was called Artists International, but it added the word Association to its name when it was reconstituted in 1935. It continued until 1971, but abandoned its originally objectives in 1953, thereafter existing as an exhibiting society.
Essentially set up as a left-of-centre political organisation, the AIA embraced all styles of art both modernist and traditional. Its aim was to promote the 'Unity of Artists for Peace, Democracy and Cultural Development'. It held a series of large group exhibitions on political and social themes beginning in 1935 with an exhibition entitled Artists Against Fascism and War.
The AIA supported the left-wing Republican side in the Spanish Civil War
through exhibitions and other fund-raising activities. The Association was also involved in the settling of artists displaced by the Nazi regime in Germany. Many of those linked with the Association, such as Duncan Grant
were also pacifists.
Another of the AIA's aims was to promote wider access to art through travelling exhibitions and public mural paintings.
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
in 1933 out of discussion amongst Pearl Binder, Clifford Rowe, Misha Black, James Fitton, James Boswell, James Holland and Edward Ardizzone, the first meeting took place in Misha Black’s room at the Seven Dials.
Originally it was called Artists International, but it added the word Association to its name when it was reconstituted in 1935. It continued until 1971, but abandoned its originally objectives in 1953, thereafter existing as an exhibiting society.
Essentially set up as a left-of-centre political organisation, the AIA embraced all styles of art both modernist and traditional. Its aim was to promote the 'Unity of Artists for Peace, Democracy and Cultural Development'. It held a series of large group exhibitions on political and social themes beginning in 1935 with an exhibition entitled Artists Against Fascism and War.
The AIA supported the left-wing Republican side in the Spanish Civil War
Spanish Civil War
The Spanish Civil WarAlso known as The Crusade among Nationalists, the Fourth Carlist War among Carlists, and The Rebellion or Uprising among Republicans. was a major conflict fought in Spain from 17 July 1936 to 1 April 1939...
through exhibitions and other fund-raising activities. The Association was also involved in the settling of artists displaced by the Nazi regime in Germany. Many of those linked with the Association, such as Duncan Grant
Duncan Grant
Duncan James Corrowr Grant was a British painter and designer of textiles, potterty and theatre sets and costumes...
were also pacifists.
Another of the AIA's aims was to promote wider access to art through travelling exhibitions and public mural paintings.