20 October 2017

Rarely seen artworks by Paul and John Nash, together with personal items from a private collection are included in a new exhibition at York Art Gallery. Many of the personal items, such as intimate letters, photographs and art materials including paint sets and brushes, have never been on public show before.

The previously unseen artworks include possibly the last painting Paul Nash ever composed, created the day before he died.

The collection was compiled by a relative of Paul Nash who became friends with him and his wife Margaret when she moved to Oxford to join the Women’s Auxiliary Airforce (WAAF) during the Second World War.

Jennifer Alexander, curator of art at York Art Gallery, said:

“This is a wonderfully eclectic collection that offers us a glimpse into the world of two of the most highly regarded artists in Britain.

“It includes the brushes and portable paint box Paul has used, the photographs Paul took to study from and the paintings and prints created by both Paul and John, including a poignant watercolour of Margaret created the day before Paul died. There are also intimate letters from Paul.

“These personal items compliment the artworks on show and give us a real insight into the personalities of Paul and John, during this latter period of their lives.”

Jennifer Alexander (curator of fine art, York Art Gallery) with “Portrait of Margaret Nash at Boscombe” by Paul Nash from a private collection, Image © Charlotte Graham

Paul Nash’s relative was in her early 20s when she moved to Oxford and joined the WAAF. Her mother had arranged for Paul and Margaret to support her while she was away from home and they became good friends, particularly after her mother died in 1943. This collection was amassed over her lifetime and many items were gifts from Margaret.

The collection is shown alongside other Paul Nash works as part of Paul Nash and the Uncanny Landscape, an exhibition curated by artist John Stezaker.

In this unique exhibition, Stezaker considers how Nash and his contemporaries portrayed an estranged sense of unreality focused on the representation of the everyday world. Stezaker explores this new lease of life for landscape painting in the post war period, highlighting the profound influence Nash has exerted over artists throughout the twentieth century and still today.

The exhibition includes works by Stezaker including new landscapes created in response to the themes of the uncanny landscape.