Tuesday talks: Mystic modernism - modern art and spirituality
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- Start Date: 10 Jun 2025End Date: 10 Jun 2025Tue (Daytime): 15:30 - 17:30OnlineFull fee £19.00 Senior fee £15.00 Concession £12.00
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What is the course about?
The British Surrealist artist, Eileen Agar, once wrote of works of art having the power to ‘make holes in the walls of reality’. What did she mean? How can art transport us to other worlds? What social, political or cultural factors have (and continue to) compel artists to explore and experiment with ideas and subjects grounded in spirituality and mysticism? How have works of art transgressed conventional ‘canons’ of art to reflect the state of being alive (or dead)? Why do contemporary artists continue to mine connections to spirituality in their work?
On this Friday Lates course, we will delve deeper to answer these questions, looking at selected examples of works made by artists from the early 1900s to the present day. We will explore examples of pioneering, but originally denigrated, art works such as the ‘spirit drawings’ of Georgiana Houghton and Hilma af Klint; alongside the later influence of Kandinsky in early modern art. We also focus on selected works by Surrealist artists including Max Ernst, Leonora Carrington and Ithell Colquhoun; and consider how and why Mark Rothko in the mid-20th century, embraced spirituality in his monumental Abstract Expressionist paintings. The course will invite you to discuss the significance in a resurgence of interest in spirituality and alternative belief systems – looking at examples of work by contemporary artists working across different media, as diverse as Tessa Mars, Lu Yang and Alberta Whittle.
This course may contain content that some learners may find of a sensitive or challenging nature.
What will we cover?
• Some of the factors that influenced the rise of spiritualism in Europe the early 20th century.
• How socio-political events and cultural developments in science and history influenced the development of spirituality in modern art.
• How contemporary artists continue to explore spiritual themes in their work.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
• Identify two social, political or cultural factors that influenced the development of spirituality in early 20th century Europe.
• Identify key themes and materials used in at least two artists studied on the course.
• Discuss at least one factor that you think has influenced how contemporary artists engage with spiritual themes today.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is suitable for all levels.
You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations and basic Zoom features (like camera and microphone).
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
You will be taught online with powerpoint slides and lecture and will be invited to take part in a short group discussion.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
You may wish to bring a notebook and a pen to take notes.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
This course is part of our Friday Lates series, search ‘Friday Lates’ for more courses like this one.
Chantal Condron is a curator, teacher and writer with a dedicated focus on audienceengagement and enjoyment of art. As the UK Government Art Collection’s first curator of publicengagement, she led education and public programmes at the University of Hull, WhitechapelGallery and Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, and delivered art talks at the Britishembassies in Paris, Vienna and Washington DC. She teaches Art History at City Lit, in additionto teaching the subject as part of City Lit’s Ceramics Diploma course. She is also an Art Historytutor for WEA London, and teaches 'A level' Art History to London secondary school students. Chantal has worked widely in the public and private arts sector for nearly 30 years including at Tate, Sotheby's, Visiting Arts, Arts and Business and University of London Library. She holds a BA in 20th century and non-western art from the University of East Anglia; and an MA in Asian art from SOAS, University of London. Author of 'Peter Hedegaard', the first monograph on the London-based Danish abstract artist who exhibited in the 1960s and ‘70s (Rocket Gallery, London, 2019), Chantal continues to contribute commissioned exhibition texts and reviews.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
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