We are delighted to host this wonderful collection of paintings, drawings and memorabilia of Leeds artist Philip Naviasky (1894-1983).
This exhibition has been co-curated in partnership with Suzie & Richard Hamlin who now reside in the house where Philip once lived in Chapel Allerton. Suzie & Richard recently featured in the Antiques Roadshow, with some of Philip’s work, at Roundhay Park on 4th February 2024. In addition to this exhibition, there will be an unveiling of a blue plaque at the house in partnership with Leeds Civic Trust in recognition of the contribution Philip Naviasky has made to the cultural history of Leeds.
Philip Naviasky was a portrait and landscape artist working mainly in watercolour and oils, from Leeds and of Polish extraction. He studied at Leeds School of Art and then at 18 became a student of painting at the Royal Academy Schools and is said to have been the youngest ever student admitted. He also gained a Royal Exhibition award from the Board of Education for three years of education at the Royal College of Art.
Returning to Leeds after the First World War and teaching at Leeds College of Art, he focussed both on portraiture and landscape painting, exhibiting up to the Second World War. Naviasky's subjects were mainly women and girls, some from his travels in Spain, the south of France and Morocco, whilst he also painted figures from within his Jewish heritage in Leeds, as well as portraits of politicians Ramsay Macdonald and Philip Snowden and the industrialist Lord Nuffield.
This exhibition will feature works from a number of private collections of Naviasky's work which are rarely available for public viewing; alongside the exhibition there will be talks and workshops designed to explore the art of portrait and landscape painting.
Tickets to this opening event are free with an option to make a donation to Left Bank and support us in delivering our accessible creative programme of events and workshops.