Exhibitions

19 October 2024 - 23 February 2025

‘sidelined Bloomsbury figure reveals main character energy’ ★★★★★ The Guardian
‘The world of an enigmatic genius’ ★★★★ i News
‘Bold Works From a Trailblazing Woman’ The New York Times

Vanessa Bell (1879–1961) was a pioneering modernist painter and founding member of the Bloomsbury Group, a circle of influential English artists, writers and intellectuals in the first half of the twentieth century. This exhibition – her largest-ever solo show – provides an in-depth overview that includes drawings, paintings, ceramics and furniture.

Bell’s pioneering work was at the forefront of British abstraction. At the same time, she helped to create conditions in which artists, including women, could flourish. This involved organising the ‘Friday Club’ for artists to meet and co-founding the experimental design collective, Omega Workshops. Collaboration formed an essential part of Bell’s approach to art, including with her sister, the writer Virginia Woolf, and the artist Duncan Grant.

Vanessa Bell: A World of Form and Colour is organised by MK Gallery in partnership with Charleston. The exhibition is generously supported by the Jerwood Foundation.

With thanks to the Vanessa Bell Circle of Friends, including the Chair Matthew Travers and Piano Nobile.

Guided Exhibition Tours

Join our insightful tour guides for a deep-dive into Vanessa Bell: A World of Form and Colour.

Conversational Tours: Tuesdays, 11am, Sunday 15 December, 11am  (limited to groups of 10, can be added to basket at checkout)
General Tours: Tuesdays and Saturdays, 2pm

Late

An ideal opportunity to explore the exhibition out of hours, and discover the world of the iconic Bloomsbury artist. Tickets for the exhibition are available to book for Friday 6 December, from 6-8pm. Guests can also enjoy drinks at our bar throughout the evening.

Access Programme

Relaxed Viewing: Sunday 27 October, 10.30am
BSL-interpreted Tour: Saturday 16 November, 10.30am
Relaxed Viewing: Sunday 24 November, 10.30am
Audio-described Tour: Tuesday 26 November, 10.30am
SEND Tour: Saturday 30 November, 10am
Toddle Tour: Saturday 30 November, 11am
Relaxed Viewing: Sunday 22 December, 10.30am
BSL Artist-led Tour: Saturday 18 January, 10am
Audio-described Tour: Tuesday 21 January, 10.30am
Relaxed Viewing: Sunday 26 January, 10.30am
SEND Tour: Saturday 1 February, 10am
Toddle Tour: Saturday 1 February, 11am
Relaxed Viewing: Sunday 23 February, 10.30am

Vanessa Bell Conference

Friday 24 January, 10am – 5pm
This one-day conference in MK Gallery’s 150-seat Sky Room auditorium includes an exciting line up of experts and enthusiasts and will also be live-streamed online. Tickets to the in-person conference will include entrance into the exhibition.

Vanessa Bell Conference (in-person attendance)
Vanessa Bell Conference (online attendance)

Accessibility

MK Gallery is accessible to all. The building is wheelchair friendly and we welcome assistance dogs. Accessible toilets can be found on every floor, with a Changing Places toilet on the ground floor. Click here for a visual guide and full details of facilities.

Please note that large bags, food and drink are not allowed in the exhibition. We have a range of lockers available on the first floor of the building for storing personal belongings.