Feature: Exhibition - Modernism in Hampstead: the Tradition of the New at Hampstead Museum from November 25 - February 27

Published: 25 November, 2010
by GERAALD ISAAMAN

Above: 66 Frognal Inset: Rebecca Lodge, curator of Hampstead Museum

KEATS and Constable – poets and the painters have always dominated the artistic history of Hampstead. The literary roll call ranges from DH Lawrence, Daphne du Maurier and George Orwell to Margaret Drabble, David Storey and John le Carré; and artists include Henry Moore, Barbara Hepworth, Ben Nicholson, Paul Nash, Stanley Spencer, Mark Gertler, David Bomberg and Paula Rego.

There have also been notable musicians who have lived on the hill above London. But what of the architects? Hampstead parades, every day, in all weathers, a notable history, from the 17th century and listed buildings of the past to the best of today’s artists in stone, brick, steel and glass. Wedged in the middle are the architects of the Modern movement who have given Hampstead such iconic examples as Number 66 Frognal by Connell Ward & Lucas; the Sun House by Maxwell Fry, round the corner in Frognal Way; the Willow Road flats of Erno Goldfinger, and the Isokon Flats by Wells Coates in Lawn Road, all built in the 1930s.

Post-war came a fine array of modern dream homes by architects such as Trevor Dannatt, the late Ted Levy, Sir Michael and Patty Hopkins and the Schreiber house in West Heath Road, designed on a one metre module by James Gowan, in 1964.

Plus, of course, developments inspired  by Camden Council architects, such as Neave Brown and his formidable Rowley Way estate in Alexandra Road.

Parts of that legacy go on display today (Thurs­day) at the Hampstead Museum in Burgh House, itself an immaculate grade I-listed Queen Anne property. The show cements the arrival at the museum of its new curator, Rebecca Lodge, who has a BA in art history and an MA in art museum and gallery studies.

It is in fact 27-year-old Rebecca’s second exhibition, the first being on the history of Hampstead Tube, which she used to promote family days at the museum, in particular imaginative craft events for children. “They made mini steam trains out of craft match boxes and a large model of Hampstead Tube station platform decorated with peg doll passengers and posters they created themselves,” she says.

“Two resourceful children even made a working lift. I am keen to have afternoons like this with every temporary exhibition we stage, to help a younger audience  realise that museums are places where they can have fun and use their imagination.”

She adds: “My role at the Hampstead Museum is my ideal job. I am enthusiastic to carry on the good work of my predecessors by curating interesting and thought-provoking exhibitions that will encourage new and returning visitors.”

The new show, which will run until February 27, will include a craft afternoon giving children an opportunity to make a model Modernist house, as well as two guided walks in February, to see some of the prime properties.

“Hampstead was home to many Modernist creative professionals and thinkers who helped to shape the way the area looks, as well as build upon its artistic legacy,” points out Rebecca, who lives on a narrow boat in Bethnal Green. This exhibition focuses on the lives of a few of these people, their ideas and their relation­ships with each other. 

“Visitors will be able to book the guided tour, which will enable them to examine the real impact of these Modernist buildings on Hampstead at the time – and now.”

• Modernism in Hampstead: the Tradition of the New is at Hampstead Museum, Burgh House, New End Square, NW3, from November 25-February 27, 020 7431 0144, www.burghhouse.org.uk/ museum