Gwen John’s work is both instantly recognisable and era-defining. She is known for the quiet strength of the solitary women in her portraits and the reflective stillness of her interiors. For decades she was overshadowed by her famous brother Augustus and often portrayed as a recluse, but nevertheless defied convention to forge her own existence. She trained at the Slade, then one of the few art schools to accept women on the same terms as men. She made her life and work within the heady art worlds of London and Paris amid a rich cultural circle that included James McNeill Whistler and her lover, Auguste Rodin. This is the story of a progressive trailblazer and a painter devoted to her craft at the forefront of early 20th century art.
Welcome
We are the Dulwich branch of The Arts Society, formerly NADFAS, a leading arts education charity bringing together people with a curiosity for the arts and providing world-class lecturers. The belief that the arts have the potential to enrich peoples' lives is at the heart of everything we do.
Our speakers are selected from 380+ accredited lecturers in The Arts Society's Directory, all of whom go through a rigorous process to ensure a high level of subject expertise and presentation skills.
Our lectures are held at 8pm from October to July in the comfortable purpose-built lecture theatre in the Sixth Form Centre at JAGS (James Allen's Girls' School) in Green Dale, off East Dulwich Grove. No access from the school. See the Where we Meet page for map and details. Access from 7.15pm
If you are unable to get to JAGS, our lectures are also available live on Zoom (but not recorded for playback). Guests are welcome in person at JAGS or on Zoom on payment of £10 per lecture, cash or card at the door or online. To watch on Zoom, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for bank transfer details to pay the fee; use ref. Zoom and the lecture date, e.g. Zoom91025. Once payment received, the Zoom link is sent.
PLEASE NOTE, in spite of our best efforts, lectures that include film or music clips do not transmit well over Zoom from JAGS. Please attend in person if possible. Zoom is a 'nice to have' but we cannot guarantee great quality, because of the system at JAGS.
Wine, water and nibbles are available in the Sixth Form foyer before lectures.
We arrange visits throughout the season - check the visits page. Friends and family welcome.
The Arts Society Greater London Area offers a wide range of in-depth study days in Central London. These are open to all and costs are very reasonable.
