Shaping the Future

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 See all

30 artworks

Storyline Album Showcase

'Le Malade imaginaire' 1861
Abraham Solomon (1823–1862)
Oil on canvas
H 36 x W 29.5 cm
Ben Uri Collection

Image credit: Ben Uri Collection
The Dancer 1962
Ben Enwonwu (1917–1994)
Oil on canvas
H 93 x W 62 cm
Ben Uri Collection

© Courtesy of The Ben Enwonwu Foundation. 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

© Marie-Louise von Motesiczky Charitable Trust. 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

© 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

© the artist's estate. 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 artist's estate / Bridgeman Images. 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

© estate of Alfred Cohen. 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

© estate of Georg Mayer-Marton / Bridgeman Images. 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

© the copyright holder. Image credit: Ben Uri Collection
Refugees 1947
Orovida Camille Pissarro (1893–1968)
Oil on canvas
H 76 x W 63 cm
Ben Uri Collection

© trustees of the estate of Orovida Pissarro. 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

© the copyright holder. 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

© the estate of R. B. Kitaj. 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

© Estate of Alfred Aaron Wolmark. All rights reserved, DACS 2025. Image credit: Ben Uri Collection
Two Sisters 1944–1945
Georg Ehrlich (1897–1966)
Bronze
H 78 cm
Ben Uri Collection

© the copyright holder. 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

© estate of Georg Mayer-Marton / Bridgeman Images. 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

© ADAGP, Paris and DACS, London 2025. 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

© the copyright holder. 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

© 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

© the artist's estate. Image credit: Ben Uri Collection
Romilly John (1906–1986) 1907
Jacob Epstein (1880–1959)
Bronze
H 20.3 cm
Ben Uri Collection

© 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

© The estate of Sir Jacob Epstein / Tate Images. Image credit: Ben Uri Collection
Head of an African Woman 1920s
Dora Gordine (1895–1991)
Plaster
H 53 cm
Ben Uri Collection

© 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

© Dorich House Museum, Kingston University. 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

© ADAGP, Paris and DACS, London 2025. 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

© the copyright holder. 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

© 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

© the artist's estate. 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

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

© the trustees of the estate of Feliks Topolski. Image credit: 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