Vorticism Mania

In the past week or two, I've been reading a lot about the Vorticists. With articles in the newspapers and on the Internet, it's difficult to avoid at the moment. Fortunately, having an interest in abstract art, I have found them all interesting. When I mentioned this to Vicky, she said she had heard the term but didn't really know what Vorticism was. So we spent an evening last week, reading up and talking about it.

Founded in the run up to the First World War by Percy Wyndham Lewis, Vorticism is a style of abstract art influenced by Futurism and Cubism. Works are inspired by the geometry of the industrial machinery of the time and include sculpture and writing as well as painting.

It is a British development in art but had both supporters and detractors. Apart from Wyndham Lewis, other painters and sculptors within the movement were Jacob Epstein, David Bomberg, Henri Gaudier-Brzeska and Dorothy Shakespear.

The War made things difficult for the artists to continue their work although exhibitions were held in London (1915) and New York (1917). Sadly, after the war, Wyndham Lewis was unable to revive the movement as attention moved to new developments in Europe and America.

Vicky enjoyed finding out more about Vorticism and although it's not her favourite type of art, she was fascinated by the stories we read.

Of course, the reason for all the interest in Vorticism now is the opening of the Vorticist exhibition at Tate Britain today. On display will be works by the leading Vorticist artists and sculptors of the time.

The Vorticists: Manifesto for a Modern World runs until 4th September 2011.

Picture:
Wyndham Lewis
Workshop circa. 1914-5
© Wyndham Lewis and the estate of Mrs G A Wyndham Lewis. Photo: By kind permission of the Wyndham Lewis Memorial Trust

Vince,

Love Your Art.