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Lotto cash for LSBU to develop legacy of Borough Group of artists

London SE1 website team

London South Bank University has received a development grant of £15,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund to develop plans to preserve and display the legacy of David Bomberg and the Borough Group of artists.

Donated to the university by collector Sarah Rose, the collection comprises approximately 80 paintings, 100 works on paper by Bomberg and other members of the Borough Group and a rapidly expanding related archive.

David Bomberg taught at the Borough Polytechnic (forerunner of LSBU) in the 1940s and 1950s and was instrumental in the formation of the Borough Group of artists.

The project includes preservation of the collection, conversion of space to create public access and collaborative programmes, including online facilities and volunteering opportunities, which offer insight into this important part of 20th century British art heritage.

The £10,000 development grant means that LSBU can now progress to the second stage of the HLF application process.

The university has up to two years to submit more detailed plans and apply for the full £196,720 support that it is seeking for the project.

"We are delighted that the Heritage Lottery Fund has awarded this development grant so that we can develop and fully prepare our exciting plans to explore and promote the legacy of David Bomberg and the Borough Group; to provide public access to the collection and offer educational and participatory opportunities for thousands of people in the local area and beyond," says Professor Mike Molan, executive dean of the faculty of arts and human sciences.

Sue Bowers, head of the Heritage Lottery Fund for London, said: "David Bomberg was one of an exceptional generation of modernist artists and is now regarded as one of Britain's most significant artists and art teachers of the 20th century.

We look forward to working with LSBU to continue developing their exciting plans to display Sarah Rose's unique collection of artworks and archives, keeping it within the spiritual home for which she intended.

"Whilst this is just the beginning of the journey to secure a full grant, we are delighted to be providing some additional upfront money to help with development work."

An LSBU hall of residence on Borough High Street is named after David Bomberg.

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