WHAT IS AND WHO ARE THE FRIENDS OF DAME LAURA KNIGHT SOCIETY ?

The Society’s Objective is to promote interest and provide information on one of England’s greatest Impressionist artists.

Why create a Society?
Dame Laura Knight was he first woman to be honoured with a retrospective Exhibition  at the Royal Academy in 1965.  Sir W. Russell Flint wrote the introduction in the Catalogue of the Exhibition:
“….If we consider the careers of women artists throughout the centuries, it soon becomes plain that Laura Knight surpasses them all in sheer variety of achievement.  Where, in the boundless field of art, has any woman – or how many men – shown such a wide range?…….”

Since the pre WWll years it has not been fully appreciated, except from a small growing number, the pure genius of Dame Laura Knight and what she achieved as an artist; despite the difficulties of coming from a poor background and particularly in the period she lived, when women were not fully accepted in many circles in which she moved, and for a major portion of her early life women were not even allowed to vote.  Despite this, the artist became greatly travelled, moved in many circles making friends in a wide range from fisher folk, the circus, ballet, theatre, musicians justices at the Nuremberg trials to the aristocracy. A range of ordinary people to the famous.

The artist experimented and developed a wide range of artistic techniques, wrote three books, painted jewellery, ceramics and enamel plaque work as well as being commissioned for War works for both World Wars.

So who is running the Society ?
In a move to revive interest in the artist’s work Dame Laura Knight’s great nephew the nearest living relative, has created the Friends of Dame Laura Knight Society

1. to achieve the above Objective and
2. to write catalogue notes and previews for art dealers on the artist’s works,
3. as well as starting a Catalogue Raisonne on the artist’s works.

Malvern area of The Friends of Dame Laura Knight Society:
Heather Whatley at heatherw@dsl.pipex.com has now become the local Malvern co-ordinator for the Malvern area, to generate greater interest in the artist. Heather organised a talk on Laura Knight given by John Croft FCA in the Colwall Village Hall – see Illustrated talks under Newsletter.

The reason why the first Malvern area meeting was held in Colwall is because Laura Knight spent so many years in the Colwall area. 

Heather Whatley intends to hold the next Area meeting of The Friends of Dame Laura Knight Society on 10th September at 7.00pm in the Colwall Village Hotel with the objective of agreeing how best to progress the new local Society.

Nottingham/ Staithes and Cornwall areas of The Friends of Dame Laura Knight Societies?
Those interested in Dame Laura Knight, living in one of the above areas, and willing to spend a little time in setting up further local Societies in their local area, please contact R. John Croft at  info@damelauraknight.com  to discuss the matter, or why not discuss with Heather what was involved in setting up Malvern area and find out how much fun can be derived..