Pole Position: Polish Art In Britain 1939–1989

Pole Position is a brand new exhibition which will shed light on a neglected chapter in the story of British art.

Created from the private collection of Matthew Bateson, the exhibition showcases 60 works by Polish artists, many of whom were forced to flee mainland Europe during the Second World War. Some of these artists journeyed through many countries before settling in the UK, while others were captured and imprisoned before finding their way to British shores.

The artists’ transitory experiences are reflected in the subject of their work; from powerful depictions of their lost homeland and the horrors of war, to the landscapes and luminaries they encountered in their new lives in Britain. The striking works on show are a testament to the great adversity the artists faced, but also to the wealth of new ideas and approaches they brought with them across the channel.

Going on public display for the first time at the Graves Gallery, this remarkable collection provides an illuminating parallel to Sheffield’s significant collection of 20th century modern British art.