1940s Amersham was a vibrant creative hub, shaped by a notable community of émigré artists, sculptors, writers and musicians.
From the 1930s, refugees from Nazi Europe made their homes in Amersham. By the 1940s, the town had become a vibrant hub of artistic life, shaped by a remarkable community of émigrés.
This exhibition highlights three women artists who lived locally: Russian-born photographer Laelia Goehr, Czech sculptor Mary Duras, and Austrian painter Marie-Louise von Motesiczky. Their work is shown alongside stories of the wider circle of musicians, writers, and visitors who brought new creative energy to the area.
Alongside this is a contemporary film which seeks to convey the trauma suffered by refugees. dis-placed by Helen Henderson is inspired by her own family’s story, fleeing Russia soon after the revolution in 1918, and settling in Great Missenden.
The exhibition features a soundtrack with a wide range of music performed and composed by Amersham-based musicians, including Italian-born Francisco Ticciati, Walter Goehr, and Allan Gray.
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Visitor information
Address
49 High Street, Amersham, Buckinghamshire, HP7 0DP
Opening times
11.30am to 4pm (Wednesdays to Sundays, and Bank Holiday Mondays)
