The Stanley Spencer Gallery exhibits some important names in the art scene

[Cookham Webmaster]

The Stanley Spencer Gallery Summer Exhibition in Cookham is exhibiting some important names in the Modern British art scene this summer.

‘A Brush with History, Stanley Spencer and Modern British Art’ displays seven artworks loaned from Southampton City Art Gallery and look at the influence of its former adviser, Kenneth Clark, who was one of Spencer’s patrons.

Curator Amanda Bradley Petitgas said: “Clark was seminal in helping the British public outside of London to appreciate modern British artists.”

On show are works by Mark Gertler and C.R.W. Nevinson, who studied with Spencer at the Slade School of Art, and like him, became the most distinctive artists of the twentieth century.

Clark mentored Leslie Cole, whose work, ‘Naval Base: Women’s Royal Naval Service Sick Bay’, are also being displayed, and echoes Spencer’s work at the Sandham Memorial Chapel, painted after World War One.

A highlight is the loan of Spencer’s monumental triptych, ‘The Resurrection with the Raising of Jairus’s Daughter’, which was also painted at that time.

His fascination with the concept of resurrection began in Cookham churchyard and endured throughout his life.

Also on loan is Stanley’s brother Gilbert Spencer’s ‘The Rat Catcher’ which foreshadows Stanley’s portraits decades later.

Amanda added: “In our gallery, it’s easy to see Spencer’s work in a vacuum but I hope this exhibition will give context to his work and help us understand the history.”

The exhibition will run until 5 November 2023.