Chagall and Ben Uri

Chagall and his Circle is a fine exhibition, a selection that is representative of one of the most important axis of 20th century art from Kiev, Moscow and Paris.

There was much debate and concern that the Ben Uri had lost sight of its place as part of this country's great national heritage. Therefore in 2001, this museum declared a focus for the new century. To explore the lives and critically assess the work of artists of European descent, alongside their non-Jewish contemporaries.

This exhibition follows on from the Ludwig and Else Meidner in 2002, and A Storm in Europe: Béla Kádár, Hugó Scheiber and 'Der Sturm' Gallery in Berlin in 2003/4. It is a natural, geographical and historical journey as it follows the path of modernity in European art history. A path which interweaves with the rich tapestry of the Ben Uri.

What makes this exhibition that more interesting for the archivists of tomorrow, is that 61 years ago, in February 1944, the Ben Uri showed in the opening exhibition of the Portman Square Gallery in London W1, Chagall, Kisling and Mane-Katz. An exhibition much like the one today, except then it was under a 'contemporary' sign rather than a 'masters' banner.

Far from straying from our core, we have returned to our original European vision and heritage. We showed artist's work by style and movement rather than by the nationality of the artist, nationalities that were so often only adopted after rejection.

This exhibition gives our audience a flavour of many artists' journeys from the East to the West. It brings to London work from institutions and private collectors from home and abroad, works not seen before in public.

It has been a long time since European artists of Archipenko, Berlewi, Chagall, Halicka, Kádár, Kisling, Mané-Katz, Mintchine, Pascin, Orloff, Rubin, Ryback and Soutine have graced the Ben Uri walls. But it will not be the last, as we plan a major L'Ecole de Paris exhibition in 2007/8.

We thank all our lenders for their generosity and our curatorial and gallery teams for their skill and dedication. We also thank our colleagues from Ben Uri Enterprises for hosting the selling exhibition of Chagall's two bible series on the lower level gallery, which compliment the exhibition so well.

Enjoy these rare sights at the Ben Uri Gallery.

DAVID J GLASSER
CHAIRMAN