English art movement, Vorticism is sometimes called the English version of Cubism. Founded by abstract artist Percy Wyndham Lewis, members of the movement focused on themes that incorporated modern machinery and industry. The movement was a mixture of Futurism and Cubism, lasting from 1912-1915. The movement began growing in 1913 when the Rebel Art Centre was founded, formed by Wyndham Lewis, Edward Wadsworth, Frederick Etchells, and Cuthbert Hamilton. The group’s name lasted only several months, later re-titled Vorticism by Ezra Pound. Two Vorticist manifestoes were published in the movement’s newspaper, Blast, in 1914 and 1915.

Vorticists rejected traditional academic institutions and looked to the future with fear. They recognized the power of technology, particularly the machine and anticipated that it would result in a bleak, purposeless life for humankind. Vorticism was the first English art movement dedicated to abstraction. Artists worked primarily in two-dimensional form, employed the fragmentation and multiple viewpoints of Cubism. Their work was defined with flat, bold colors, and simple geometric shapes.

Vorticism died out at the onset of World War I since many of its artists enlisted in the armed forces. In addition, there were disagreements within the group at the end of 1915 that also contributed to its demise.

Artists: (biography & artworks) Related Paintings Reproductions

Lewis, Percy Wyndham - 1882 - 1957br> Roberts, William - 1895 - 1980
Wadsworth, Edward - 1889 - 1949