Ashington Group
Encyclopedia
The Ashington Group was a small society of artists from Ashington
, Northumberland
, which met regularly between 1934 and 1984. Despite being composed largely of miners with no formal artistic training, the Group and its work became celebrated in the British art world of the 1930s and 1940s.
(WEA), which first advertised a class on 'Evolution' in 1927; after a further seven years of evening classes in various subjects they turned their attention to art appreciation. The WEA and Durham University
organised for a tutor, the painter and teacher Robert Lyon (1894-1978) to come and instruct the group, but its members, mainly miners from the Woodhorn
and Ellington
Collieries, quickly grew dissatisfied with the course. Lyon suggested that the group members instead try creating their own paintings as a means to develop an understanding and appreciation of art.
- had drawn up an extensive list of regulations, by which all members had to abide, and named itself the Ashington Group; it also held its first exhibition at Armstrong College, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. A further exhibition was held in 1938 as an extension of the Mass Observation project.
By the early 1940s the Group had exhibited in London, and continued to thrive after Lyon left to teach in Edinburgh
, though he remained in contact with the Group's members. Over the next few years the work of the Group was noticed and praised by a number of prominent British artists and critics, such as Julian Trevelyan
and Henry Moore
.
, critical interest in the Group waned, but they continued to meet weekly, producing new art and taking on new members. The critic William Feaver met one of the Group's central members, Oliver Kilbourn, in the early 1970s, and began a renewal of interest in their work, which was restored and featured in several touring exhibitions. In the 1980s, the Group's "Permanent Collection" became the first western exhibition in China after the Cultural Revolution
.
The Group's meeting hut was finally demolished in 1983; Kilbourn, the last of the Group's founder members, arranged for the paintings to be put in trust prior to his death in 1993, and they are now kept in Woodhorn Colliery Museum. Feaver's book about the Group, Pitmen Painters: The Ashington Group 1934-1984, has recently been adapted into a successful play
by Lee Hall
.
Ashington
Ashington is a town and civil parish in Northumberland, England with a population of around 27,000 people; it was once a centre of the coal mining industry. The town is located some north of Newcastle upon Tyne off the A189. The south of the town is bordered by the River Wansbeck...
, Northumberland
Northumberland
Northumberland is the northernmost ceremonial county and a unitary district in North East England. For Eurostat purposes Northumberland is a NUTS 3 region and is one of three boroughs or unitary districts that comprise the "Northumberland and Tyne and Wear" NUTS 2 region...
, which met regularly between 1934 and 1984. Despite being composed largely of miners with no formal artistic training, the Group and its work became celebrated in the British art world of the 1930s and 1940s.
Origins
The Group began as the Ashington branch of the Workers' Educational AssociationWorkers' Educational Association
The Workers’ Educational Association seeks to provide access to education and lifelong learning for adults from all backgrounds, and in particular those who have previously missed out on education. The International Federation of Workers Education Associations has consultative status to UNESCO...
(WEA), which first advertised a class on 'Evolution' in 1927; after a further seven years of evening classes in various subjects they turned their attention to art appreciation. The WEA and Durham University
Durham University
The University of Durham, commonly known as Durham University, is a university in Durham, England. It was founded by Act of Parliament in 1832 and granted a Royal Charter in 1837...
organised for a tutor, the painter and teacher Robert Lyon (1894-1978) to come and instruct the group, but its members, mainly miners from the Woodhorn
Woodhorn
Woodhorn is a village in Northumberland, England about east of Ashington. The village is sometimes identified with Wucestre, given to St Cuthbert by King Ceolwulf when he gave up his throne in 737 to become a monk at Lindisfarne. A medieval bell at Woodhorn, inscribed "Ave Maria", is said to be...
and Ellington
Ellington, Northumberland
Ellington is a small village on the coast of Northumberland, England. Ellington is four miles from Ashington, six miles from Morpeth and twenty miles north of Newcastle upon Tyne....
Collieries, quickly grew dissatisfied with the course. Lyon suggested that the group members instead try creating their own paintings as a means to develop an understanding and appreciation of art.
Critical success
By 1936 the group - many of whose members were committed to the principles of the Independent Labour PartyIndependent Labour Party
The Independent Labour Party was a socialist political party in Britain established in 1893. The ILP was affiliated to the Labour Party from 1906 to 1932, when it voted to leave...
- had drawn up an extensive list of regulations, by which all members had to abide, and named itself the Ashington Group; it also held its first exhibition at Armstrong College, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. A further exhibition was held in 1938 as an extension of the Mass Observation project.
By the early 1940s the Group had exhibited in London, and continued to thrive after Lyon left to teach in Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
, though he remained in contact with the Group's members. Over the next few years the work of the Group was noticed and praised by a number of prominent British artists and critics, such as Julian Trevelyan
Julian Trevelyan
Julian Otto Trevelyan, RA was a British artist and poet.Trevelyan was the only child of Robert Calverley Trevelyan and his wife Elizabeth van der Hoeven...
and Henry Moore
Henry Moore
Henry Spencer Moore OM CH FBA was an English sculptor and artist. He was best known for his semi-abstract monumental bronze sculptures which are located around the world as public works of art....
.
Post-war
After World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, critical interest in the Group waned, but they continued to meet weekly, producing new art and taking on new members. The critic William Feaver met one of the Group's central members, Oliver Kilbourn, in the early 1970s, and began a renewal of interest in their work, which was restored and featured in several touring exhibitions. In the 1980s, the Group's "Permanent Collection" became the first western exhibition in China after the Cultural Revolution
Cultural Revolution
The Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution, commonly known as the Cultural Revolution , was a socio-political movement that took place in the People's Republic of China from 1966 through 1976...
.
The Group's meeting hut was finally demolished in 1983; Kilbourn, the last of the Group's founder members, arranged for the paintings to be put in trust prior to his death in 1993, and they are now kept in Woodhorn Colliery Museum. Feaver's book about the Group, Pitmen Painters: The Ashington Group 1934-1984, has recently been adapted into a successful play
The Pitmen Painters
The Pitmen Painters is a play by Lee Hall, inspired by a book by William Feaver about the Ashington Group. Following a sell out run at both the Live Theatre, Newcastle upon Tyne in 2007 and its transfer to the Royal National Theatre, and returned to the National for a limited season before heading...
by Lee Hall
Lee Hall (playwright)
Lee Hall is an English playwright and screenwriter. He is best known for the 2000 film Billy Elliot.-Early life:...
.
Prominent members of the Group
- Oliver Kilbourn (1904-1993)
- George Blessed
- Jimmy Floyd (1898-1974)
- Harry Wilson (1898-1972)
- Len Robinson
- Jack Harrison (1907-2005)