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 and Sunday 2nd, 9th and 23rd February, 11am (max 10 per tour)
General Tours: Tuesdays and Saturdays, 2pm and Sunday

Access Programme

SEND Tour: Saturday 1 February, 10am
Toddle Tour: Saturday 1 February, 11am
Relaxed Viewing: Sunday 23 February, 10.30am

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.