Breakthrough is a major re-hang of the Imperial War Museum’s collection of British art. The display will incorporate outstanding artworks from the official art schemes of both world wars and significant non-official and contemporary works.

Among the items on display will be work by officially commissioned artists such as Paul Nash, CRW Nevinson, John Piper and Eric Ravilious, as well as some recently acquired paintings by William Scott and Robert Colquhoun.

UPDATE:

Exile
11 July - 15 November 2009

At the outbreak of the Second World War, former German and Austrian citizens resident in Britain were declared ‘enemy aliens’ and the fear of invasion and resulting media agitation led to mass internment of all male ‘enemy aliens’ during the early summer of 1940.

Artists in these camps reflected their experience of exile, internment and wartime London in their works. Emigré designers such as FHK Henrion, Hans Schleger, the Lewitt-Him partnership and Dorit Dekk found wartime employment with the Ministry of Information, General Post Office, London Transport Passenger Board and Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, producing iconic posters for campaigns aiding the war effort.

Admission free