Grace Pailthorpe, December 4th, 1938 1938. Tate. © reserved.
Reflect on the range of art produced in Britain from 1930–1940
The 1930s was a time of political and economic struggle across the world. Some artists in this room felt that art could help to change this. The social and political concerns of the time can be seen in the art in this room. They manifest themselves in different ways.
Some artists created abstract works, where subjects are simplified into shapes and marks. Others looked to dreams and the unconscious mind for inspiration. By the end of the decade, the Second World War had started. The violence of war challenged the belief that art could creative positive change.