The Revitalisation of British Portrait Sculpture: the Role of Franta Bělský and Irena Sedlecka
Dr Peter Cannon-Brookes will show that the art of both Franta Bělský and Irena Sedlecka was forged in Prague and neither lost their faith in their shared Czech heritage. Bělský fought in the British Army during the Second World War and took up his artistic training again in Prague under Španiel, 1945-48, before fleeing back to Britain after the Communist takeover. Irena Sedlecka was trained in Prague under Pokorný from 1945. Her work was taken up by the new Communist regime but her growing disillusionment led her to flee from Czechoslovakia to Britain in autumn 1966. Both sculptors became deeply involved with the Society of Portrait Sculptors and played key roles in its revitalisation (1984-96) after a period of virtual hibernation. Tickets include a glass of wine.
