Murals in Britain 1920-1970: Revisions, revelations and risks
One-day conference at Morley College, 60 Westminster Bridge Road, London SE1 7HT
Friday 8 March 2013
The conference reveals some of the hidden treasures of mural painting and decoration in Britain from the mid twentieth century, often neglected in terms of scholarship, awareness and conservation, and therefore frequently at risk of destruction. By a combination of recording and interpretation, and with the help of conservation pressure from official and independent bodies, the history of loss could be halted and the remaining works retained and valued as important contributions to the past and future of British art.
Organised by Alan Powers for The Twentieth Century Society, in association with the exhibition Mural and Decorative Painting 1920-1970 at the Fine Art Society, London
9.30 Registration
10.00 Opening address Nick Rampley, Vice-Principal of Morley College
Chair for morning: Dr Robert Upstone, Fine Art Society
Session 1: Murals and art history
10.15 Professor Clare Willsdon, University of Glasgow, author Mural Painting in Britain, 1840-1940 ‘Mural traditions: Britain and Abroad’
10.45 Dr Alan Powers, Twentieth Century Society ‘Why are murals so neglected by art history?’
11.15 Coffee
Session 2: Murals and two world wars
11.45 Dr Jonathan Black, Senior Research Fellow, Kingston University ‘Gentle Lessons for the Nation: Mural Painting in Britain and the Two World Wars.’
12.15 Dr Margaret Garlake, author New Art/New World: British Art in Postwar Society (1998) 'Medium, image, place in postwar murals'
12.45 Discussion of morning
13.00 Lunch
Chair for afternoon: Dr Emma Chambers, Tate Britain
Session 3: Bridging gaps in knowledge and interpretation
14.00 Dr Lynn Pearson, independent historian, author of Public Art since 1950 and A Field Guide to Postwar Murals. 'In search of modern murals'
14.30 Dr Jeremy Howard, University of St Andrews and The Decorated School Project
'Extra?: Murals in Schools'
14.50 Henrietta Billings, Conservation Advisor, Twentieth Century Society.
Tile panels by Dorothy Annan in Farringdon Street and other case studies
15.10 Tea
Session 4: Angels and agencies
15.30 Dr Roger Bowdler, Head of Designation, English Heritage.
‘Wall-to-wall protection: Designating the 20th century mural’
16.00 Andy Ellis, Public Catalogue Foundation.
16.30 Summaries and discussion.
17.00 Ends
Cost £30 including refreshments (students £20)
Booking on www.c20society.org.uk
(The Twentieth Century Society, 70 Cowcross Street, London EC1M 6EJ)
Website image courtesy Richard Maynard.