Borough Group
Encyclopedia
The Borough Group was a collective of mid-20th century artists from the Borough
area of Southwark
, south London
, England
. The group was associated with the David Bomberg
, who was then teaching a number of the artists that formed the group at the Borough Polytechnic, hence the name.
Cliff Holden
founded the Borough Group in 1946 with the purpose of developing the ideas of fellow artist David Bomberg
(1890–1957), who taught at the then Borough Polytechnic during the 1940s and 1950s, and was the leading light of the movement.
In 1944, Holden met David Bomberg
at the City Literary Institute in London
where the latter was teaching. In 1945 Bomberg began to teach evening Art classes at the Borough Polytechnic (now London South Bank University
) until 1954 when he taught at the Bartlett School of Architecture. Holden initiated the group after consultation with Bomberg himself. Edna Mann
, Dorothy Mead
, and Peter Richmond (later Miles Richmond) were other founding members. Holden was first president of the group during 1946–48 at the suggestion of Bomberg. The group then extended to 11 members, including Dennis Creffield
(best known for his drawings of English cathedrals), and Bomberg became president. The Borough Group was active until Spring 1951. During its existence, the group organised seven major exhibitions. The group continued during 1953–56 as the Borough Bottega. Bomberg died a year later in 1957.
There are many reminders of David Bomberg's teaching at the Borough Polytechnic at the present day University. Several works by Bomberg and Miles Peter Richmond hang around LSBU's campus and a student hall of residence is named after David Bomberg, David Bomberg House on Borough High Street
. The collection of the Tate Gallery
includes paintings by Bomberg.
, a Heritage Lottery Fund
grant has been raised to allow a permanent display on David Bomberg and the Borough Group to be set up at London South Bank University, to open in Spring 2012.
Southwark
Southwark is a district of south London, England, and the administrative headquarters of the London Borough of Southwark. Situated east of Charing Cross, it forms one of the oldest parts of London and fronts the River Thames to the north...
area of Southwark
Southwark
Southwark is a district of south London, England, and the administrative headquarters of the London Borough of Southwark. Situated east of Charing Cross, it forms one of the oldest parts of London and fronts the River Thames to the north...
, south London
South London
South London is the southern part of London, England, United Kingdom.According to the 2011 official Boundary Commission for England definition, South London includes the London boroughs of Bexley, Bromley, Croydon, Greenwich, Kingston, Lambeth, Lewisham, Merton, Southwark, Sutton and...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. The group was associated with the David Bomberg
David Bomberg
David Garshen Bomberg was an English painter, and one of the Whitechapel Boys.Bomberg was one of the most audacious of the exceptional generation of artists who studied at the Slade School of Art under Henry Tonks, and which included Mark Gertler, Stanley Spencer, C.R.W. Nevinson and Dora Carrington...
, who was then teaching a number of the artists that formed the group at the Borough Polytechnic, hence the name.
Cliff Holden
Cliff Holden
Cliff Holden FCSD is a British painter, designer, and silk-screen printer.Holden was educated at Wilmslow Modern School followed by Reaseheath School of Agriculture, where he studied agriculture and veterinary science....
founded the Borough Group in 1946 with the purpose of developing the ideas of fellow artist David Bomberg
David Bomberg
David Garshen Bomberg was an English painter, and one of the Whitechapel Boys.Bomberg was one of the most audacious of the exceptional generation of artists who studied at the Slade School of Art under Henry Tonks, and which included Mark Gertler, Stanley Spencer, C.R.W. Nevinson and Dora Carrington...
(1890–1957), who taught at the then Borough Polytechnic during the 1940s and 1950s, and was the leading light of the movement.
In 1944, Holden met David Bomberg
David Bomberg
David Garshen Bomberg was an English painter, and one of the Whitechapel Boys.Bomberg was one of the most audacious of the exceptional generation of artists who studied at the Slade School of Art under Henry Tonks, and which included Mark Gertler, Stanley Spencer, C.R.W. Nevinson and Dora Carrington...
at the City Literary Institute in London
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...
where the latter was teaching. In 1945 Bomberg began to teach evening Art classes at the Borough Polytechnic (now London South Bank University
London South Bank University
London South Bank University is a university in south London. With over 25,000 students and 1,700 staff, it is based in the London Borough of Southwark, near the South Bank of the River Thames, from which it takes its name...
) until 1954 when he taught at the Bartlett School of Architecture. Holden initiated the group after consultation with Bomberg himself. Edna Mann
Edna Mann
Edna Mann was a British painter and co-founder of the Borough Group of artists.Mann was educated at Romford County High School for Girls and then studied art at the South-East Essex Technical College and School of Art. Here in 1942, she met the artists David Bomberg , who was teaching there, and...
, Dorothy Mead
Dorothy Mead
Dorothy Mead was a British painter.Mead was born in London, England,She first met David Bomberg when he was teaching at the Dagenham School of Art in 1945...
, and Peter Richmond (later Miles Richmond) were other founding members. Holden was first president of the group during 1946–48 at the suggestion of Bomberg. The group then extended to 11 members, including Dennis Creffield
Dennis Creffield
Dennis Creffield is a British artist with work owned by major British art collections, including the Tate Gallery, Arts Council of England, the Government Art Collection, Leeds City Art Gallery, University of Leeds collection, University of Brighton collection and others.-Early life and...
(best known for his drawings of English cathedrals), and Bomberg became president. The Borough Group was active until Spring 1951. During its existence, the group organised seven major exhibitions. The group continued during 1953–56 as the Borough Bottega. Bomberg died a year later in 1957.
There are many reminders of David Bomberg's teaching at the Borough Polytechnic at the present day University. Several works by Bomberg and Miles Peter Richmond hang around LSBU's campus and a student hall of residence is named after David Bomberg, David Bomberg House on Borough High Street
Borough High Street
Borough High Street is a main street in Southwark, London running south-west from London Bridge, forming part of the A3 road, which runs from London to Portsmouth.- Overview :...
. The collection of the Tate Gallery
Tate Gallery
The Tate is an institution that houses the United Kingdom's national collection of British Art, and International Modern and Contemporary Art...
includes paintings by Bomberg.
, a Heritage Lottery Fund
Heritage Lottery Fund
The Heritage Lottery Fund is a fund established in the United Kingdom under the National Lottery etc. Act 1993. The Fund opened for applications in 1994. It uses money raised through the National Lottery to transform and sustain the UK’s heritage...
grant has been raised to allow a permanent display on David Bomberg and the Borough Group to be set up at London South Bank University, to open in Spring 2012.
Members
Members of the Borough Group and pupils of Bomberg at Borough Polytechnic included:- Frank AuerbachFrank AuerbachFrank Helmut Auerbach is a painter born in Germany although he has been a naturalised British citizen since 1947.-Biography:Auerbach was born in Berlin, the son of Max Auerbach, a patent lawyer, and Charlotte Nora Burchardt, who had trained as an artist...
- Dennis CreffieldDennis CreffieldDennis Creffield is a British artist with work owned by major British art collections, including the Tate Gallery, Arts Council of England, the Government Art Collection, Leeds City Art Gallery, University of Leeds collection, University of Brighton collection and others.-Early life and...
- Cliff HoldenCliff HoldenCliff Holden FCSD is a British painter, designer, and silk-screen printer.Holden was educated at Wilmslow Modern School followed by Reaseheath School of Agriculture, where he studied agriculture and veterinary science....
- Leon KossoffLeon KossoffLeon Kossoff is a British expressionist painter, known for portraits, life drawings and cityscapes of London, England....
- Edna MannEdna MannEdna Mann was a British painter and co-founder of the Borough Group of artists.Mann was educated at Romford County High School for Girls and then studied art at the South-East Essex Technical College and School of Art. Here in 1942, she met the artists David Bomberg , who was teaching there, and...
- Dorothy MeadDorothy MeadDorothy Mead was a British painter.Mead was born in London, England,She first met David Bomberg when he was teaching at the Dagenham School of Art in 1945...
- Gustav MetzgerGustav MetzgerGustav Metzger is an artist and political activist who developed the concept of Auto-Destructive Art and the Art Strike. Together with John Sharkey, he initiated the Destruction in Art Symposium in 1966...
- Peter Richmond