Guernica Remakings features artwork from across the globe that remakes Picasso’s Guernica, “creating resonances with the original work”, according to Dr Nicola Ashmore, from the university’s School of Humanities.
The exhibition, launched at the university, is now at The National Poetry Library at Festival Hall, Southbank Centre in London until 22 September. It is free to enter, and open 11-20:00 (closed Mondays).
Dr Ashmore said: “We have commissioned two contemporary poets, So Mayer and Richard Price, to respond to the painting with poems written in response to the symbols in the painting. Guernica Remakings gives you a chance to read Picasso’s written work and learn about his relationships with poets in his lifetime.”
Guernica’ was painted by Picasso and first exhibited in the Spanish Pavilion at the Exposition Internationale in Paris, 1937 following the destruction of the town in Northern Spain on Franco’s instructions in 1937. The attack was carried out by the combined fascist air forces of Franco, Hitler and Mussolini. Tactics were practised that were later used in the bombing of London in WW2.