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From the early 1930s until the end of the twentieth century, a significant number of professional artists were drawn to the small north west Essex village of Great Bardfield and its surroundings. Working across various media, they made a substantial contribution to twentieth-century visual culture in Britain.

The artists never constituted a ‘school’ or movement, and they had diverse styles and interests. However, they have inevitably become known as the ‘Bardfield Artists’. Many of them were skilled printmakers, producing both limited edition art prints and inexpensive lithographs for wider circulation, often pioneering new methods. Most of them needed to earn their living, and as well as teaching they undertook a wide range of commercial work.

This exhibition displays a cross-section of the contribution these artists made to twentieth-century visual culture in Britain, and is drawn from the extensive North West Essex Collection of art housed in the Fry Art Gallery in Saffron Walden, a public art gallery run entirely by volunteers. All works are from the Collection, except where stated, and grateful thanks are extended to the Trustees for the loan of these items. The exhibition has been curated by senior member Peter Donovan.

Image: Sheila Robinson, Brook Street, Great Bardfield, Woodcut, 1966 © The estate of the artist