The East London Group Then and Now, panel discussion.

In 1930 The Times stated “Our highest hopes for the future of English painting are centred in the members of the East London Group…No other exhibition or society has been able to show us anything like so good a collection of paintings by the younger generation”.

With such high praise then and a growing reputation now, what role did this curious group of East End artists play in their heyday and what impact can they have on an audience of today?

Chaired by Michael Rosen, co-curator of the Nunnery Gallery’s current East London Group exhibition, special guests will discuss the Group’s importance then and now – including David Buckman, author of the seminal work on the Group From Bow to Biennale – surrounded by their evocative paintings.

Michael Rosen is an award-winning writer, performance poet and broadcaster. He is a former Children’s Laureate, Professor of Children’s Literature at Goldsmiths, University of London and presents BBC Radio 4’s acclaimed programme about language, Word of Mouth. For BBC World Service Michael has presented several programmes about art and architecture, including programmes on LeCorbusier, Anthony Caro, David Nash and Paul Gaugin.

David Buckman first published the celebrated From Bow to Biennale: Artists of the East London Group in 2012, the first study of this important Group of artists based on correspondence and interviews with the last, now-deceased Group members plus primary and secondary archival research over many years. David Buckman has been a journalist and author for over 40 years; other titles include Artists in Britain since 1945.

IMAGE: Fireman paints his own rescue, All Courtesy the artist’s family © A.E.Turpin Estate, 2017