Modern British Art

Two trademark scenes by Scottish artist John McGhie (1867-1952) impressed at Great Western Auctions (24% buyer’s premium) in Glasgow.

Exhibition of the Mod Brit artist’s works concentrates on the second part of his career

British artist Edith Lawrence (1890-1973) was known for her paintings, linocuts and textile designs, but was somewhat overshadowed in her lifetime by her husband, fellow artist Claude Flight (1881-1955).

Leonard Squirrell (1893-1979) is most associated with East Anglia, producing a significant body of rural scenes of Suffolk and Norfolk as well as cityscapes of Norwich and Ipswich.

While Old Masters were dominating proceedings at Woolley & Wallis’ early September sale, a fortnight earlier it was Modern British art that was turning heads in Salisbury.

This month, London Art Week (LAW) uses the digital platform it launched over the summer to run Art History in Focus. The event combines online discourse with exhibitions and objects on offer in galleries (and on gallery websites), putting the spotlight on two major themes: women artists and framing.

A selection of Modern British works on offer from UK dealers.

A collection of pictures and letters by Modern British artists drew solid interest at the latest Cheffins (22.5% buyer’s premium) Art & Design sale in Cambridge.

A group of works by Edward Bawden (1903-89) will be offered at Sworders’ Modern British & 20th Century Art sale in Stansted Mountfitchet on October 20.

A fine example of a work by a member of the Camden Town group will be offered at Lyon & Turnbull’s Modern Made sale in London on October 23.

The Modern British art sector is now one of the most vibrant in the market and represent a good slice of business for both auction houses and dealers

A number of wildlife sculptures, a niche sub-set of the Mod Brit art market, have performed well recently – perhaps as a result of the increased love of the natural world experienced by many during the lockdown crossing over into the art market.

Works by two Modern British female artists whose stars have been rising commercially over recent years topped the bill at the latest fine art sale held at David Lay (18% buyer’s premium).

Claude Francis Barry’s wartime work The Heart of the Empire, Our Finest Hour, 1940, is among the highlights coming up at Liss Llewellyn’s second season of Hidden Gems.

Edward Bawden (1903-89) was one of a number of artists invited to submit designs ahead of Britain’s changeover to decimal coinage. Designs were invited for six coins: the 1p, 2p, 5p, 10p, 20p and 50p pieces.

Modern and contemporary gallery recalls the faces and the artists of fabled Soho drinking den

Though best remembered for his work as an illustrator and printmaker, British artist Ethelbert White (1891-1972) was also a prolific painter of English landscapes.

Two years after closing its Mayfair base the gallery has reopened in lively Carnaby Street in London.

MADAM – Hadleigh Old School in Suffolk is reopening as a concert hall in 2021. A former Victorian boys’ school, it became an arts and music venue in the 1970s under maestro Thomas McIntosh, the famous American pianist and conductor.