Frederick J. Brown: Lands of the Mind & Judith Godwin Reflection

The Arts Club London is delighted to invite you to Lands of the Mind and Reflection, two exceptional exhibitions celebrating the groundbreaking contributions of Frederick J. Brown and Judith Godwin to 20th-century abstraction. Running from 13th February to 25th May, these exhibitions provide a rare opportunity to engage with the works of two visionary artists whose significant but often overlooked achievements helped shape modern art.

Lands of the Mind, displayed in the Drawing Room, focuses on the dynamic and experimental abstraction of Frederick J. Brown. Brown’s work, deeply influenced by jazz and cultural narratives, combines rhythmic improvisation with bold gestural strokes and vibrant colours. Highlights of the exhibition include Time (1974), Lands of the Mind (1974) and Untitled (1970), which capture his innovative approach during a period of intense experimentation in the 1970s. Brown, an African American artist, forged connections with New York’s vibrant jazz scene and influential contemporaries like Frank Bowling. His legacy continues to resonate, with his work held in prestigious collections such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

In the Ante Room, Reflection celebrates the work of Judith Godwin, a key figure in the Abstract Expressionist movement. Her dynamic paintings, characterised by fluid geometry, sweeping arcs, and a bold use of colour, challenge the male-dominated conventions of her time. Inspired by her engagement with figures like Betty Parsons and Martha Graham, Godwin developed a unique modernist vision that continues to captivate. The exhibition highlights include Reflection and Ark, works emblematic of her mastery of composition and emotional depth. Recently celebrated at Whitechapel Gallery’s Women Artists and Global Abstraction 1940–70, Godwin’s work reaffirms her place as a transformative force in the history of abstraction.

Complementing the two exhibitions, a curated selection of Abstract Expressionist works on paper will be displayed on the club’s grand staircase, offering a nuanced perspective on the movement’s evolution and legacy.