Lines of Influence: Twentieth Century British Printmaking

From screenprints and linocuts to wood engravings and lithographs, this group exhibition celebrates the artists who helped shape a British print-making and graphic design aesthetic in the twentieth century.

The commercial output of artists will be explored, through examples of illustrations for limited-edition books, advertising and propaganda designs and product advertisements. The exhibition will also highlight how artists elevated printmaking to a highly regarded form of personal artistic expression, producing artwork that could stand alone.

Highlights will include works by C.R.W. Nevinson who famously revealed the drama and impact of the First World War. Lithographs from Eric Ravilious’s High Street series, published by Country Life Books, document the nostalgic charm of 1930s Britain. The modern metropolis and the dynamism of urban life is expressed through the block-print linocuts of pioneers Sybil Andrews and Cyril Power from the Grosvenor School. Edward Bawden’s lasting influence on graphic design and illustration will be highlighted through his playful use of colour and bold pattern that bridged the gap between fine art and design. Artists such as Henry Moore, Lynn Chadwick and Elisabeth Frink used printmaking to experiment and extend their sculptural ideas, and to reach broader audiences.

The exhibition includes over 40 works drawn from the Ingram Collection.