This Side of Modernism: Twentieth-Century American and British Artists

The narrative of modernism is often illustrated by the work of abstract artists. To offer a fuller view of modern art, this exhibition focuses on the work of modern artists active in England and the United States during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Drawing from the permanent collection, This Side of Modernism: Twentieth-Century American and British Artists reinforces the notion that there are multiple modernisms and a version of modern art practiced in both the United States and England emphasized representation imagery. As artists were being increasingly challenged by Cubism and Surrealism, some artists sought modern representation through a more traditional lens. For certain artists, the use of color, the technique of a brushstroke or the choice of distinctive subject matter led to the designation of modernist. This Side of Modernism includes both well-known collection treasures such as paintings by Vanessa Bell and Roger Fry, in addition to rarely seen works by Reginald Marsh, Graham Sutherland, and John Sloan.