Dedicated to the memory of gallerist and curator Agi Katz (1938–2021)
The first exhibition of its kind since the pandemic and the reopening of the gallery following flooding, Shaping the Future – New Arrivals at the Ben Uri Collection, presents an exciting and eclectic display of new acquisitions and long-term loans. The display explores a series of both distinct and overlapping themes and motifs with works referencing theatre and/or performance including Abraham Solomon’s lively portrayal of Molière’s Le Malade Imaginaire (1861), Austrian-Jewish émigrée Marie-Louise von Motesiczky’s celebratory Circus (1964), pioneering African modernist Ben Enwonwu’s rhythmic Dancer (1962), and Indian-born Lancelot Ribeiro’s bold King Lear (1964).

Artists featured in this Curation: Abraham Solomon (1823–1862), Ben Enwonwu (1917–1994), Marie-Louise von Motesiczky (1906–1996), Lancelot Ribeiro (1933–2010), Fred Uhlman (1901–1985), Alfred Cohen (1920–2001), Georg Mayer-Marton (1897–1960), Paul Jeffay (1898–1957), Orovida Camille Pissarro (1893–1968), Antony Sher (1949–2021), and 14 more
30 artworks
Storyline Album Showcase
'Le Malade imaginaire'
Image credit: Ben Uri Collection

'Le Malade imaginaire' 1861

Abraham Solomon (1823–1862)

Oil on canvas

H 36 x W 29.5 cm

Ben Uri Collection

The Dancer
© Courtesy of The Ben Enwonwu Foundation. Image credit: Ben Uri Collection

The Dancer 1962

Ben Enwonwu (1917–1994)

Oil on canvas

H 93 x W 62 cm

Ben Uri Collection

Circus Scene
© Marie-Louise von Motesiczky Charitable Trust. Image credit: Ben Uri Collection

Circus Scene 1964

Marie-Louise von Motesiczky (1906–1996)

Oil on canvas

H 53.6 x W 90.3 cm

Ben Uri Collection

King Lear
© the artist's estate. Image credit: Ben Uri Collection

King Lear 1964

Lancelot Ribeiro (1933–2010)

Oil on canvas

H 99 x W 52.7 cm

Ben Uri Collection

Townscape
© the artist's estate. Image credit: Ben Uri Collection

Townscape 1962

Lancelot Ribeiro (1933–2010)

Oil on board

H 59 x W 42 cm

Ben Uri Collection

Welsh Cottages
© the artist's estate / Bridgeman Images. Image credit: Ben Uri Collection

Welsh Cottages 1950s

Fred Uhlman (1901–1985)

Oil on canvas

H 60 x W 90 cm

Ben Uri Collection

The View from Panton House
© estate of Alfred Cohen. Image credit: Ben Uri Collection

The View from Panton House 1962

Alfred Cohen (1920–2001)

Oil on canvas

H 71 x W 90 cm

Ben Uri Collection

The March of the Parents
© estate of Georg Mayer-Marton / Bridgeman Images. Image credit: Ben Uri Collection

The March of the Parents 1956

Georg Mayer-Marton (1897–1960)

Oil on panel

H 92 x W 71 cm

Ben Uri Collection

La Rue des Rosiers
© the copyright holder. Image credit: Ben Uri Collection

La Rue des Rosiers 1949

Paul Jeffay (1898–1957)

Oil on canvas

H 65.4 x W 81.3 cm

Ben Uri Collection

Refugees
© trustees of the estate of Orovida Pissarro. Image credit: Ben Uri Collection

Refugees 1947

Orovida Camille Pissarro (1893–1968)

Oil on canvas

H 76 x W 63 cm

Ben Uri Collection

Self-Portrait as Primo
© the copyright holder. Image credit: Ben Uri Collection

Self-Portrait as Primo 2008

Antony Sher (1949–2021)

Oil on canvas

H 82 x W 83 cm

Ben Uri Collection

Red Self Portrait after Masaccio
© the estate of R. B. Kitaj. Image credit: Ben Uri Collection

Red Self Portrait after Masaccio 2005

Ronald Brooks Kitaj (1932–2007)

Oil on canvas

H 61 x W 61 cm

Ben Uri Collection

Portrait of the Artist's Mother and Sister (Gitel and Sarah)
© Estate of Alfred Aaron Wolmark. All rights reserved, DACS 2024. Image credit: Ben Uri Collection

Portrait of the Artist's Mother and Sister (Gitel and Sarah) c.1908

Alfred Aaron Wolmark (1877–1961)

Oil on canvas

H 91.4 x W 71.1 cm

Ben Uri Collection

Two Sisters
© the copyright holder. Image credit: Ben Uri Collection

Two Sisters 1944–1945

Georg Ehrlich (1897–1966)

Bronze

H 78 cm

Ben Uri Collection

Boy with Teddy Bear
© estate of Georg Mayer-Marton / Bridgeman Images. Image credit: Ben Uri Collection

Boy with Teddy Bear 1925

Georg Mayer-Marton (1897–1960)

Etching on paper

H 29.5 x W 21.8 cm

Ben Uri Collection

Self-Portrait
© ADAGP, Paris and DACS, London 2024. Image credit: Ben Uri Collection

Self-Portrait 1925

Marc Chagall (1887–1985)

Coloured crayon on paper

H 26 x W 18 cm

Ben Uri Collection

London Bridge
© the copyright holder. Image credit: Ben Uri Collection

London Bridge c.1959–1960

Rudolf Hradil (1925–2007)

Etching on paper

H 27.5 x W 29.5 cm

Ben Uri Collection

Headland
© the artist's estate. Image credit: Ben Uri Collection

Headland 1980

Helga Michie (1921–2018)

Etching & aquatint on paper

H 12.4 x W 17.5 cm

Ben Uri Collection

Refugee
© the artist's estate. Image credit: Ben Uri Collection

Refugee c.1951–1957

Eva Frankfurther (1930–1959)

Pen & ink on paper

H 10.6 x W 9 cm

Ben Uri Collection

Romilly John (1906–1986)
© The estate of Sir Jacob Epstein / Tate Images. Image credit: Ben Uri Collection

Romilly John (1906–1986) 1907

Jacob Epstein (1880–1959)

Bronze

H 20.3 cm

Ben Uri Collection

Albert Einstein (1879–1955)
© The estate of Sir Jacob Epstein / Tate Images. Image credit: Ben Uri Collection

Albert Einstein (1879–1955) 1933

Jacob Epstein (1880–1959)

Bronze

H 45 cm

Ben Uri Collection

Head of an African Woman
© Dorich House Museum, Kingston University. Image credit: Ben Uri Collection

Head of an African Woman 1920s

Dora Gordine (1895–1991)

Plaster

H 53 cm

Ben Uri Collection

Miss Paulette Pavlides
© Dorich House Museum, Kingston University. Image credit: Ben Uri Collection

Miss Paulette Pavlides 1954–1955

Dora Gordine (1895–1991)

Bronze

H 34 x W 20 x D 22 cm

Ben Uri Collection

Stalag Scene
© ADAGP, Paris and DACS, London 2024. Image credit: Ben Uri Collection

Stalag Scene 1940–1942

Grégoire Michonze (1902–1982)

Pencil & watercolour on paper

H 28 x W 38 cm

Ben Uri Collection

Composition with Collage
© the copyright holder. Image credit: Ben Uri Collection

Composition with Collage 1990s

Dorrit Dekk (1917–2014)

Ink & collaged paper

H 40.8 x W 37.3 cm

Ben Uri Collection

Elderly Jew of the East End
© the artist's estate. Image credit: Ben Uri Collection

Elderly Jew of the East End c.1951–1958

Eva Frankfurther (1930–1959)

Brown Conté on paper

H 38 x W 28 cm

Ben Uri Collection

Old Woman of the East End
© the artist's estate. Image credit: Ben Uri Collection

Old Woman of the East End c.1951–1958

Eva Frankfurther (1930–1959)

Brown Conté on paper

H 38 x W 28.5 cm

Ben Uri Collection

A Gentleman Wearing a Blue Coat
Image credit: Ben Uri Collection

A Gentleman Wearing a Blue Coat c.1779–1839

Solomon Polack (1757–1839)

Watercolour on ivory

H 4.2 cm

Ben Uri Collection

London 1944
© the trustees of the estate of Feliks Topolski. Image credit: Ben Uri Collection

London 1944 1944

Feliks Topolski (1907–1989)

Printed design on twill

H 94 x W 86 cm

Ben Uri Collection

Boarded Up London 1940

Walter H. Nessler (1912–2001)

Oil on canvas

H 41 x W 33.7 cm

Ben Uri Collection

Explore artists in this Curation

View all 24
  • King Lear
    Lancelot Ribeiro (1933–2010)
  • Torso in Metal from 'The Rock Drill'
    Jacob Epstein (1880–1959)
  • The Dancer
    Ben Enwonwu (1917–1994)
  • Headland
    Helga Michie (1921–2018)
  • Village People
    Grégoire Michonze (1902–1982)
  • The Poet Reclining (Le Poète allongé)
    Marc Chagall (1887–1985)
  • London Bridge
    Rudolf Hradil (1925–2007)
  • Austrian Landscape
    Georg Mayer-Marton (1897–1960)
  • Walter H. Nessler (1912–2001)
  • Standing Female Nude (Dame Edith Evans, 1888–1976)
    Dora Gordine (1895–1991)
  • View all 24
View all