In the course of many exhibitions of post war British art
curated at Osborne Samuel, one name would continually
arise - that of Lilian Somerville. She was the Director of
the British Council's Fine Arts Department from 1948
to 1970, the doyenne of pivotal Venice and São Paulo
Biennales and curator of numerous British Council led
touring exhibitions. Letters and documents written by
her or to her exist in huge files at the National Archives,
the British Council and in countless artists' archives. Her
influence at home and internationally was extensive and
profound on the landscape of post war British art.
Curiously however, until now, there has not been an
exhibition or publication dedicated to her work, unlike
male colleagues of the same generation.
This exhibition, with extensive texts by art historian
Dr Judith LeGrove, includes painting and sculpture by
British artists with a connection to Somerville during
her tenure at the British Council. Their careers were
undoubtedly impacted by her enterprise.
Lilian Somerville
© Mayotte Magnus / National Portrait Gallery, London.
Published on the occasion of the exhibition
at Osborne Samuel Gallery, London
19 October - 11 November 2022
www.osbornesamuel.com
