A rare collection from the Nicholson Dynasty on show at The Lightbox
Exhibition: The Nicholsons and their Circle: An Artistic Legacy
Dates: 30 April – 26 June

The exhibition displays this wealth of talent and associated history, decade by decade, focussing on the 1920s to 1950s.

The collection is diverse in nature and includes objects never seen before by the public, consisting of paintings, textiles, drawings, sculpture and even personal memorabilia from the family, such as Christmas cards and photographs from scrapbooks. The exhibition not only looks at the art produced by this family but also explores the remarkable links and relationships between the most influential artists of the period.

The works on display go back to those of Sir William Nicholson and wife Mabel Pryde who both painted from the late 19^th Century. They had four children; Ben Nicholson, who (primarily) became a painter, Nancy Nicholson, who was best known for textile design, Kit Nicholson who became an architect and Anthony Nicholson, who was killed in action in 1918 in the First World War.

Others who married into the Nicholson family and feature in the exhibition include Ben Nicholson’s first two wives; Winifred, who was a painter, and Barbara Hepworth, who is known world-wide for developing modern art in the form of sculpture and Kit Nicholson’s wife, EQ Nicholson, a painter and textile designer. In addition, the Nicholson family were part of a diverse network of artistic friends which included Lucian Freud, John Craxton and Julian Trevelyan, who also feature in the exhibition.

The art and memorabilia forming this exhibition are being brought together from a number of sources including private collections, important loans from The Whitworth Art Gallery in Manchester such as the iconic ‘Black Goose’ print design by EQ Nicholson, and from RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) which is supplying a drawing of the design for The London Gliding Club, designed by Kit Nicholson. Furthermore, works will also be included from The Ingram Collection, a large private collection of British art on long-term loan to The Lightbox, including ‘Woman Playing a Piano’ by Winifred Nicholson, ‘Green Jug’ and ‘O.M. still life (L.L.)’, both by Ben Nicholson.

To complement the exhibition there will be a range of associated events taking place at The Lightbox including a talk given by Annette Ratuszniak about this extraordinary family, an audio described tour of the exhibition for visually impaired visitors and a ‘Repeating Patterns Workshop’ inspired by the exhibition (for dates, times and costs please visit www.thelightbox.org.uk).

Speaking about the exhibition, Peter Hall, curator, comments ‘The assembled collection has provided us with a fascinating insight into the lives of the Nicholson family, whose artistic legacy reaches far into the art world and into art history. The works of art on display have been combined with textiles and personal artefacts from the family collection to shed light on one of the UK’s most influential artistic dynasties of the 20^th Century.’

Contacts

For all press enquiries and high resolution images please contact Emma Hanson, email: emma.hanson@thelightbox.org.uk, telephone: 01483 737819 or Becky Bristow, email: becky.bristow@thelightbox.org.uk, telephone: 01483 737810

Notes to Editors:

Visitor Information: The Lightbox is open Tuesday – Saturday, 10.30am – 5.00pm and Sunday 11.00am – 5.00pm. Entrance is free. For more information please visit www.thelightbox.org.uk or call 01483 737800.

Associated Events:

Saturday 21 May, 1.00pm – 4.00pm - Repeating Patterns Workshop (£20 per person, £18 concessions)

Join Tim Nicholson, Catherine Row and Gillian McCormick in the Education Studio to explore the works in ‘The Nicholsons and their Circle: An Artistic Legacy’ and create your own repeating pattern inspired by the exhibition. Suitable for 16 years and above. All materials provided. Advance booking required (01483 737837).

Wednesday 15 June – Audio described Tour of ‘The Nicholsons and their Circle: An Artistic Legacy’ (Free Entry, Suggested Donation £2)

Blind or partially sighted visitors are invited to join us for a series of tours with workshops inspired by the exhibition. Limited spaces are available, so advance booking is required (01483 737837).

Thursday 16 June, 7pm – The Nicholsons’ Artistic Legacy (£6 adults, £5 concessions)

Annette Ratuszniak will give a unique insight into this remarkable family and their circle, presenting a fascinating historical account of the Nicholsons’ contribution to British art and culture in the 20th Century. Limited spaces are available, so advance booking is required (01483 737837).