A David Bomberg Legacy – The Sarah Rose Collection is a collection of paintings and drawings by the artists David Bomberg (1890-1957), Dennis Creffield (b. 1931), Cliff Holden (b. 1919), Thomas Holden (b. 1957), Edna Mann (1926-1985), Dorothy Mead (1928-1975) and Miles Richmond (1922-2008). In total, the collection includes over 150 works, spanning a period of nearly 100 years. The oldest piece in the collection is a page of Cubist Studies by David Bomberg, made in 1914. The most recent is a charcoal Jerusalem Wedding by Dennis Creffield, 2009.
David Bomberg is considered one of the most significant British artists of the twentieth century. He taught at London South Bank University (formerly Borough Polytechnic) after the Second World War, where his students included Dennis Creffield, Cliff Holden, Dorothy Mead, Edna Mann and Miles Richmond. These artists were among the members of the Borough Group, which exhibited together from 1946-1951.
A David Bomberg Legacy – The Sarah Rose Collection has been built up over 30 years by Sarah Rose, an independent collector whose aim is to “draw much needed attention” to the teachings of Bomberg, and to the artists who worked closely with him.[1] Sarah’s collection was always intended for the public domain, and in 2008 she placed the collection in Trust at London South Bank University.
In 2011, London South Bank University was awarded a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund to develop a programme of work exploring A David Bomberg Legacy – The Sarah Rose Collection. The grant has enabled LSBU to build a new gallery dedicated to exhibiting work from the collection, and to carry out a related programme of exhibitions, events and education activities until November 2013. The Borough Road Gallery has been built in the same building in which Bomberg’s legendary classes took place.
[1] Sarah Rose ‘Stillness and Movement in Works of Art’ A David Bomberg Legacy – The Sarah Rose Collection (London South Bank University, 2012), p. 23
David Bomberg and LSBU
David Bomberg is regarded as one of the twentieth century’s most significant British artists and art teachers. His work is displayed in numerous galleries and collections, including the Tate.
Bomberg taught at London South Bank University (then, Borough Polytechnical Institute) during the 1940s and 50s. The Borough Group was formed in 1946 by some of his students. Bomberg assumed the presidency in 1948, and the Group continued to exhibit together until 1951.
The Gallery
The Borough Road Gallery will hold two exhibitions a year, drawn from The Collection.
The Digital Archive
The Borough Road Gallery is developing a Digital Archive to explore the collection and its social and artistic histories. Currently, the Digital Archive includes some 80 photographs of works in the collection, and more images, videos and text will be added over time.
Education and Events
The Borough Road Gallery runs an education programme with local schools and adult education colleges, and occasionally holds special events in the Gallery.
Visit the Events page for more information.
Volunteering
The Borough Road Gallery’s programme is supported by volunteer programmes. If you are interested in future volunteering opportunties, please contact us.
With the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Borough Road Gallery will continue to develop all aspects of its programme between now and November 2013. We will hold four exhibitions, expand the Digital Archive, and develop our education and volunteer programmes.