Let Us Face the Future: British Art 1945-1968

The title, Let Us Face the Future, comes from the Labour Party’s slogan for their 1945 electoral campaign, which culminated in the unexpected defeat of the Conservatives led by Winston Churchill. The incoming Labour government established the welfare state in the UK, bringing about changes in British society which eventually led to the explosion of creativity and freedom of 1960s London; David Hockney’s daring exploration of his sexuality, the sculptural revolution led by Anthony Caro, and the optical paintings of Bridget Riley. Other influential artists included in the exhibition are Eduardo Paolozzi, a Scot of Italian origin who with Bunk, a series of collages started in 1952, anticipated what would come to be Pop Art, and Richard Hamilton, creator of the 1956 collage Just what is it that makes today’s homes so different, so appealing, which is considered to be the first work of the British Pop movement.