Art at a time of radical change - Leamington gallery hosts new display

New Art for a New Age: Optimism in Post-War British Abstraction brings together a selection of artists from the 1960s who explored the optimistic new themes in art after the hardships of the Second World War. It will open at the Pump Room gallery on May 3 and run until July 1.

Demonstrating the artistic innovation of the time and the diversity of British abstract art, the free exhibition grasps the atmosphere of the period, a time of post-war growth, affluence and freedom.

The developments of the time brought about a positive transformation in opportunities for everybody and instigated a radical challenge to existing social and cultural norms.

Culture began to play a more important role as a means of national and personal self-expression in an uncertain new age - and art was to become much more significant within this dynamic reassessment.

The exhibition was created by the Young Curators, a group of ten history of art final-year students from Warwick University, who selected artworks - including sculptures, paintings and screen prints - from collections of the Arts Council and their own university.

Among the participating artists are Terry Frost, Barbara Hepworth, Sarah Kent and Jeremy Moon.

The exhibition will be opened by Professor Michael Hatt, chairman of the university’s history of art department, on Thursday May 3 at 7.30pm, and visitors will from then on be able to take part in a programme of related events, including a free art talk and a children’s workshop.

To find out more about the exhibitions and events on at the gallery, call 742700 or go online.

www.warwickdc.gov.uk/wdc/royalpumprooms/art+gallery+and+museum