The Arts Society Ashdown Forest. Paul and John Nash: Brothers in Art by James Russell

Growing up together in the shadow of their Mother’s illness, Paul and John Nash emerged as artists at the same time, exhibiting their work at a joint exhibition in 1913.The following year they both enlisted in the Artists’ Rifles, and both served on the Western Front before working together as war artists.
They each subsequently explored wood engraving and book illustration, but otherwise their art moved in different directions and, whilst remaining close, they each sought to distance themselves from the tag of ‘the Nash brothers’.
It could be the plot of a novel, but every word of this intriguing, personal story of brotherly love, strife and competition is true.
Having studied History at University, James Russell enjoyed a lengthy stint selling contemporary paintings and sculpture in Santa Fe, New Mexico, an experience that inspired him to begin writing and lecturing on 20th Century art. Of his dozen or so books, one was a Sunday Times book of the year, whilst his writing has been described as ‘insightful’, ‘informative’ and ‘enjoyably readable’.
James has curated major exhibitions for museums around the country, and at Dulwich Picture Gallery, where he recently curated the exhibition ‘Tirzah Garwood: Beyond Ravilious’, which a number of us saw and much enjoyed his lecture on a group visit back in May.
Everyone is welcome – members free, visitors £10
Refreshments are available at the end of the lecture.