The Borough Group was a collective of mid-20th-century artists from the

Borough A borough is an administrative division in various English language, English-speaking countries. In principle, the term ''borough'' designates a self-governing walled town, although in practice, official use of the term varies widely. History ...

area of

Southwark Southwark ( ) is a district of Central London situated on the south bank of the River Thames, forming the north-western part of the wider modern London Borough of Southwark. The district, which is the oldest part of South London, developed ...

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. The group was associated with David Bomberg, who was then teaching a number of the artists that formed the group at the Borough Polytechnic, hence the name. Cliff Holden founded the Borough Group in 1946 with the purpose of developing the ideas of fellow artist Bomberg, who taught at the then Borough Polytechnic during the 1940s and 1950s, and was the leading light of the movement. Not to be confused with the later Borough Bottega (1953–c.1955), which was founded later by Bomberg as a consciously hierarchical organisation that emulated his understanding of a Renaissance-style workshop. In 1944, Holden met Bomberg at the City Literary Institute in

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where the latter was teaching. In 1945, Bomberg began to teach evening Art classes at the Borough Polytechnic (now

London South Bank University London South Bank University (LSBU) is a public university in Elephant and Castle, London. It is based in the London Borough of Southwark, near the South Bank of the River Thames, from which it takes its name. Founded in 1892 as the Borough Po ...

) until 1954 when he taught at the Bartlett School of Architecture. Holden initiated the group after consultation with Bomberg himself. Edna Mann, Dorothy Mead, and Peter Richmond (later Miles Richmond) were other founding members. Holden was first president of the group during 1946–48 at the suggestion of Bomberg. The group then extended to 11 members, including Dennis Creffield (best known for his drawings of English cathedrals), and Bomberg became president. The Borough Group was active until Spring 1951. During its existence, the group organised seven major exhibitions. The group reorganized with new members during 1953–56 as the Borough Bottega. Bomberg died a year later in 1957. There are many reminders of Bomberg's teaching at the Borough Polytechnic at the present day University. Several works by Bomberg and Miles Peter Richmond hang around LSBU's campus and a student hall of residence is named after Bomberg, David Bomberg House on

Borough High Street Borough High Street is a road in Southwark, London, running south-west from London Bridge, forming part of the A3 road, A3 route which runs from London to Portsmouth, on the south coast of England. Overview Borough High Street continues sout ...

. The collection of the

Tate Gallery Tate is an institution that houses, in a network of four art galleries, the United Kingdom's national collection of British art, and international modern and contemporary art. It is not a government institution, but its main sponsor is the UK ...

includes paintings by Bomberg. , a

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grant has been raised to allow a permanent display on David Bomberg and the Borough Group to be set up at London South Bank University, to open in Spring 2012.

Members

Members of the Borough Group included: * David Bomberg * Lilian Holt Bomberg * Dennis Creffield * Cliff Holden * Edna Mann * Leslie Marr * Dorothy Mead * Dinora Mendelson * Dorothy Missen * Len Missen * Miles Peter Richmond

References

{{reflist Organizations established in 1946 Organizations disestablished in 1951 British artist groups and collectives Arts in London History of the London Borough of Southwark London South Bank University *Borough Group

Members

See also

References