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Alice Neel: Hot Off The Griddle

— ,Art Gallery
Painting by Alice Neel of Benny and Mary Ellen Andrews, 1972

The largest exhibition to date in the UK of American artist Alice Neel (1900–1984), whose vivid portraits capture the shifting social and political context of the American twentieth century.

Describing herself as ‘a collector of souls’, Neel worked in New York during a period in which figurative painting was deeply unfashionable. Crowned the ‘court painter of the underground,' her canvases celebrate those who were too often marginalised in society: labour leaders, Black and Puerto Rican children, pregnant women, Greenwich Village eccentrics, civil rights activists and queer performers. A member of the US Communist Party, Neel and her radical portraits caught the attention of the FBI. In recent years, the politics of her work has given her cult status among a younger generation of artists.

Organised in collaboration with the Centre Pompidou, Paris, this exhibition brought together over 70 of Neel’s most vibrant portraits, shown alongside archival photography and film, bringing to life what she called ’the swirl of the era’.

Tagged with: Art & design Members' Art & Design Events Alice Neel

Exhibition developed in collaboration with the Centre Pompidou and on display in Paris from 5 October 2022 to 16 January 2023.

Opening hours

  • Sat-Wed   10am-6pm (last entry 5pm)
  • Thu-Fri   10am-8pm (last entry 7pm)
  • ‘Remarkable.‘
    The Times
  • ‘Superbly curated.‘
    The Observer
  • ‘Marvellous, full of arresting, unforgettable moments.‘
    Evening Standard
  • ‘What a pleasure this all is.‘
    The Guardian
  • ‘Courageous.‘
    Independent
  • ‘Intimate, frank, humorous and dignified.‘
    BBC Radio 4

Discover

A portrait by Alice Neel of two figures sat together.

Alice Neel: An Introduction

Writer Hettie Judah invites you into the world of Alice Neel, to discover her expressionistic paintings and the people immortalised by them.

Read

Events

A series of screenings, tours and events inspired by the life and work of Alice Neel

Visual Arts Schools Offer

two kids playing a video game inside a glassbox

Visual Arts Schools Offer

Schools and education groups are welcome to our diverse range of exhibitions. The Galleries are a stimulating place for students to experience major artworks from some of the world’s leading visual artists and learn about contemporary and modern art.

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Art Gallery

Location
The Art Gallery is located on Level 3 and can be accessed by stairs and lifts from Level G or via the Sculpture Court if coming from outside. 

Address
Barbican Centre
Silk Street, London
EC2Y 8DS

Public transport
The Barbican is widely accessible by bus, tube, train and by foot or bicycle. Plan your journey and find more route information in ‘Your Visit’ or book your car parking space in advance.