Nunnery Gallery

The historic East London Group returns to the Nunnery Gallery, selected and curated by writer broadcaster Michael Rosen and radio producer film-maker Emma-Louise Williams. Discovered in family collections and public institutions across the country, many paintings are returning to Bow for the first time since their production. With a focus on member Albert Turpin – who, as window cleaner, fireman and leading member of the anti-fascist movement, was the ultimate ‘working artist’ – three new public works of art, commissioned to commemorate the Group, will also be unveiled alongside the show from Lindsey Mendick, Marcus Orlandi and Maxima Smith.

Working during the inter-war period, the East London Group was made up of ordinary working men and women, attending art classes – Walter Sickert was among their teachers – and exhibiting paintings alongside their day jobs. There were thirty-five members and the exhibition includes works by B A R Carter, Elwin Hawthorne, Brynhild Parker, the Steggles brothers and Albert Turpin – all of whom immortalise the buildings and streets of the East End in their work.

The new public artworks will be installed along Bow Road – at Bow Church, the Bow Bells pub and Queen Mary University of London – visible to passers-by throughout the exhibition. A lively event programme accompanies the exhibition, including walking tours of the local area and new public artworks.

Suitable for

• Any age

Website

http://www.bowarts.org/nunnery/frieze-first-thursday-ode-to-a-window-cleaner

Join us for a special Frieze First Thursday with the historic East London Group, East End gin cocktails, and a new commemorative performance from Maxima Smith.

A chance to explore the streets of east London’s past in ‘The Working Artist’ exhibition at the Nunnery Gallery before celebrating one of their most tenacious members – Albert Turpin, who as painter, window cleaner, anti-fascist at Cable Street and fireman was the ultimate working artist. The performance 'Ode to a Window Cleaner' is part of a larger body of work highlighting the rhythms, gestures and painterly lines of the trade. The glass that separates the window cleaner from the audience acts as a fourth wall, linking the performance to the series of video works Smith created for the exhibition.

Performance starts at 7pm in the Bow Arts Courtyard, adjacent to the Gallery.

Suitable for

• Any age

Website

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/frieze-first-thursday-ode-to-a-window-cleaner-tickets-37758032291?aff=es2