The Bloomsbury Group, The Camden Town Group, expressionism, Die Brucke, Der Blaue Reiter, Cubism, Constructivism, Dadaism, Futurism, Vortisism, the Bauhaus group, Surrealism, the Ashcan Group, Harlem Renaissance, action painting - all gradually leading us away from the figurative to the abstract and conceptual. Link this to what was happening in the world during this period - the two Great Wars, the Russian Revolution, The Wiemar Republic, the rise of Naziism, Stalinism, racism in the US against the black American. Europe is bankrupt, in a state of chaos and the pulse of the art world died in Paris and Europe and started to beat again in New York, the new world. Pollock, Rothko, Barnet Newman "art is about meaning, not decoration". The tutor's knowledge was vast and was used in an engaging way to explain what the artists were trying to say/achieve during these 50 years. Expansive notes given out at the end of each lesson were invaluable, as were discussions encouraged amongst the students. So much progression in just 50 years, it makes one giddy with excitement. Roll on 1950 to 2011!

Since my retirement I have attended various classes and lectures, mainly in art and literature. I have often been amazed at the standard on offer in the art world, even at some of the countries leading galleries. As a former primary school teacher I would have been eaten alive by some of the ten year olds I have taught if I had offered the poor content and mediocre delivery that I have experienced.
What A joy to discover this tutor and this course. It has been a great learning experience and has made me want to explore the period covered further. The content was excellent, the resources used were interesting and the hand-outs re inforced the learning. The tutor's knowledge, enthusiasm, and skills in handling the group made each session a pleasure and a stimulating experience. What else can I say? I have signed up for next term!