Winifred Gill: A Bloomsbury Pioneer

Collage watercolour work of a figure dancing; the bulk of the image is taken up with a large orange shawl that is swirling through the scene, as if dancing itself. 'Shawl Dance' is written in the bottom right corner in orange writing. Winifred Gill (1891-1981), Toy design - Shawl Dance,1914-16, graphite, watercolour and bodycolour on wove paper. The Bodleian, Oxford © Bodleian, Oxford

14 Oct 2026 – 10 Feb 2027
Project Space

Discover an overlooked innovator of the Bloomsbury group, Winifred Gill.

This display will spotlight the artist Winifred Gill (1891-1981), through works held in the Courtauld51²è¹Ý¶ù collection. Although a gifted artist and a central figure at Roger Fry51²è¹Ý¶ù avant-garde Omega Workshops, Gill51²è¹Ý¶ù contributions have since remained largely overlooked. She studied at the Slade before joining the Workshops as a designer, maker and, for a time, business manager.

On display will be a number of Gill51²è¹Ý¶ù inventive toy designs for the Omega Workshops, as well as a remarkable still life painting made around this time that is deeply characteristic of the Bloomsbury style in its bold response to colour and form. Later prints will show how Gill51²è¹Ý¶ù style developed in the 1920s while working as a teacher of arts and crafts in the pioneering Bristol and Manchester University Settlements. Sketchbooks and printing materials will offer a deeper understanding of her practice.

This display is included in the Permanent Collection or Permanent Collection + Exhibition ticket. Tickets go on sale in 2026. Ìýto be among the first to hear about exhibitions, events and news.

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14 Oct 2026 - 10 Feb 2027

10:00 - 18:00 (last entry 17:15)

Courtauld Gallery  The Project Space 

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Highlights

Collage watercolour work of a figure dancing; the bulk of the image is taken up with a large orange shawl that is swirling through the scene, as if dancing itself. 'Shawl Dance' is written in the bottom right corner in orange writing.
Winifred Gill (1891-1981), Toy design - Shawl Dance,1914-16, graphite, watercolour and bodycolour on wove paper. The Bodleian, Oxford © Bodleian, Oxford
A person standing in the LVMH Great Room, looking at artworks slightly out of direct shot.

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