Free Painters and Sculptors (FPS) is an artist-led organisation based in

London London is the capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River Thames in south-east England at the head of a estuary dow ...

, England, which regularly exhibits every year. It played a pivotal role in the establishment of abstract art in the 1950s and 1960s.

History

Background

FPS was founded in 1952 by a number of members of the ICA who wanted to create their own painting group. Known initially as 'Painters Group from the ICA', the idea of freedom was one of the group's core beliefs. In the aftermath of World War II it was vital for the group to be able to stand for principles of artistic freedom and each artist was free to express themselves however they chose. Artists with a 'modern approach' were welcomed, generally falling into abstract or figurative camps.

Formative Years

The first exhibition was held at the end of 1953 in the Three Arts Centre, Great Cumberland Place and was opened by art critic

John Berger John Peter Berger (; 5 November 1926 – 2 January 2017) was an English art critic, novelist, painter and poet. His novel '' G.'' won the 1972 Booker Prize, and his essay on art criticism '' Ways of Seeing'', written as an accompaniment to the ...

. Twenty six artists exhibited. Soon after this the group was renamed the 'Free Painters Group' and annual exhibitions followed in Walker's Galleries on New Bond Street. There were also satellite exhibitions in the New Vision Centre Gallery on Seymour Place, Marble Arch and the Drian Gallery on Porchester Place, Bayswater. These three galleries were early natural homes for the group: The Walker's Galleries had been the location of the first exhibition of the

Seven and Five Society The Seven and Five Society was an art group of seven painters and five sculptors created in 1919 and based in London. The group was originally intended to encompass traditional, conservative artistic sensibilities. The first exhibition catalogue ...

- a natural predecessor of the Free Painters Group; New Vision Centre Gallery was run by members Denis Bowen, Halima Nalecz and

Frank Avray Wilson Frank Avray Wilson (3 May 1914 – 1 January 2009) was a British artist, author and vegetarian. He was one of the first British artists to use Tachist or action painting techniques.

and was a hub for the avant-garde and experimental. Halima Nalecz also ran the Drian Gallery and many exhibitions were held there by members over the years.

Middle Years

In the early 1960s the group began to stage exhibitions at the FBA Galleries in Suffolk Street, Pall Mall. This larger venue was well suited to the growing number of members and also was able to house larger works that were created. With this increasing membership and more sculptors in the group, in 1965 'Free Painters Group' was renamed to its current name of 'Free Painters and Sculptors'. Also at this time, FPS became a registered charity. Exhibitions were gathering more interest and garnered reviews in local and national press. As well as an annual exhibition (now branded 'Trends'), many members staged exhibitions around the UK as well as overseas. In the early 1970s a desire to find venues aside from the annual exhibition was facilitated by the then-secretary of the group Nina Hosali. Nina's mother Kate Hosali had founded the Society for Protection of Animals in North Africa (SPANA) in 1923 and the headquarters were at their home at 15 Buckingham Gate. The property was used by the free painters for meetings and storage space and in 1972 the

loggia In architecture, a loggia ( , usually , ) is a covered exterior gallery or corridor, usually on an upper level, but sometimes on the ground level of a building. The outer wall is open to the elements, usually supported by a series of columns ...

in its gardens was turned into a permanent gallery space - the Loggia Gallery and Sculpture Garden. In 1973 'Trends' moved to the Mall Galleries, Pall Mall and exhibited there until the next decade. Membership by the mid 1970s had grown rapidly and was at a peak of nearly 500.

Later Years

The 1980s saw the group achieve a milestone of 30 years but the period saw challenges. The group had healthy number of members but had to work hard to ensure that quality remained high. In addition, founding members were reaching old age and retirement and their loss was felt. Lastly, societal changes meant whereas the group had always been London focussed, it had to look outwards as artists left London. However, these challenges created interesting opportunities whereby exhibitions outside of London were staged and new blood was found. A new generation of artists joined the ranks and thus kept the group relevant and vital. Exhibitions continued to be held at the London venue of the Loggia Gallery although other suitable venues in London were harder and increasingly expensive to come by.

Modern Era

FPS celebrated its 65th anniversary in 2017. It currently has over 50 members, both from the UK and overseas. Membership is granted by election of the Executive Committee on the submission of acceptable samples of work. FPS exhibits at least twice year in London, most recently at the Menier Gallery and the gallery at the

Oxo Tower The Oxo Tower is a building with a prominent tower on the south bank of the River Thames in London. The building has mixed use as Oxo Tower Wharf containing a set of design, arts and crafts shops on the ground and first floors with two galler ...

. An annual Open exhibition celebrates the work of members alongside selected work chosen from artist submissions.

Members

The following is a select list of notable members of the group throughout its lifetime. * Anthea Alley * Aubrey Williams *

Cecil Stephenson John Cecil Stephenson (18 September 1889, in Bishop Auckland, County Durham – 1965, in London) was a British abstract artist and pioneer of Modernism. Biography Stephenson was educated at Leeds School of Art from 1909–14, the last two years ...

* Cliff Holden * Denis Bowen * Dorothy Bordass * E. L. T. Mesens *

* John Pelling *

John Coplans John Rivers Coplans (24 June 1920 – 21 August 2003) was a British artist, art writer, curator, and museum director. A veteran of World War II and a photographer, he emigrated to the United States in 1960 and had many exhibitions in Europe and ...

* Kathleen Guthrie *

Leslie Marr Sir Leslie Lynn Marr of Sunderland, 2nd Baronet (14 August 1922 – 4 May 2021) was a British landscape artist, painter and racing driver. Early life, education and military service Marr was born in Durham, England, the son of Lieutenant Col ...

Otway McCannell Otway McCannell FRSA RBA (1883 – 1969), also known as William Otway McCannell and W. Otway Cannell, was a British painter, illustrator, writer and Principal of Farnham School of Art. Biography McCannell was born in the seaside resort of New ...

* Roderick Barrett * Roy Turner Durrant * Violet Fuller * Witold Kawalec

References

{{Reflist

External links

Official website

FPS Exhibition Timeline
Organizations established in 1952 Cultural organisations based in London Arts in London British artist groups and collectives Arts organizations established in 1952 1952 establishments in England