Frederick J. Brown: Lands of the Mind
Judith Godwin: Reflection
13 February – 25 May 2025
The Arts Club
40 Dover Street
Mayfair
London, W1S 4NP
The Arts Club London announces two new exhibitions celebrating the work of Frederick J. Brown and Judith Godwin, whose significant but frequently overlooked contributions have played a key role in the 20th century turn towards abstraction. Open to both members and the public from 13 February to 25 May, Lands of the Mind and Reflection present an unmissable opportunity to rediscover the achievements of Brown and Godwin within the broader context of one of art history’s most influential periods of creative experimentation.
Courtesy of The Arts Club
These tandem exhibitions bring renewed focus to voices often overlooked in art history. Lands
of the Mind will feature the works of Brown and be displayed across the club’s Drawing Room,
whilst Reflection will present Godwin’s work in the neighbouring Ante Room. Complementing
these shows are a curated selection of works on paper by Abstract Expressionist artists
showcased on the club’s grand staircase. Together, the shows provide a nuanced lens on the
wider movement’s legacy, offering insights into its evolution and the varied practices of its
artists.
Courtesy of The Arts Club
Frederick J. Brown (b. 1945, USA – d. 2012) was an African American artist whose bold,
experimental approach to abstraction defied expectations of his time. He was deeply
influenced by music and after moving to New York in the 1970s, immersed himself in the city’s
jazz culture, whilst engaging with influential contemporaries like Frank Bowling. Recently featured at Frieze Masters 2024, his work continues to captivate audiences and is held in major
collections, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Brown’s son, Bentley Brown, will attend
the show’s Private View on 12th February and give a short speech to guests on his father’s work
and legacy.
Brown’s abstractions uniquely fuse the rhythmic improvisation of jazz with bold gestures and
an emotional depth that reflects his profound engagement with cultural and personal
narratives. By combining vivid colour palettes with gestural, painterly strokes, his works echo
the dynamism of live music, creating compositions that feel both spontaneous and
meticulously structured. Brown’s works in Lands of the Mind present his artistic approach
which challenged the boundaries of abstraction, and focus on a period of intense
experimentation in the 1970s.
Highlighted works, including Time (1974), Lands of the Mind (1974); Untitled (1974); and Untitled (1970), demonstrate abstract compositions deeply influenced by his immersion in jazz and offer a powerful representation of Brown’s bold and innovative artistic vision.
Reflection, 1979
127 x 182.9 cm
Courtesy of The Arts Club
Judith Godwin (b. 1930, USA – d. 2021) was a key figure in the 20th century New York avantgarde.
She was associated with the Abstract Expressionist movement and engaged with leading artists such as Betty Parsons, Franz Kline, and Willem de Kooning within New York’s vibrant art scene. Despite her significant influence, her work has long been overlooked in the art historical canon.
More recently, her work has gained well-deserved recognition, highlighted by her participation in the Denver Art Museum’s 2016 group survey Women of Abstract Expressionism and her inclusion in Whitechapel Gallery’s 2023 exhibition, Women Artists and Global Abstraction 1940-70. Godwin’s dynamic abstractions, blending fluid geometry and sweeping arcs, challenged the male-dominated conventions of Abstract Expressionism. Her modernist vision continues to resonate as a bold and transformative force in abstraction.
Ruby Marsh, 1977
45.7 x 61.6 cm
Courtesy of The Arts Club
Reflection will feature three of Godwin’s striking works, showcasing her mastery of colour,
form, and emotional resonance. The show derives its name from the work of the same name,
which features in the show and is emblematic of her skilful use of vibrant tones and thoughtful
approach to composition. The carefully curated works offer a rare opportunity to engage with
the artist’s unique perspective and contribution to Abstract Expressionism.
Frederick J. Brown: Lands of the Mind and Judith Godwin: Reflection opens on the 13th February, 2025 until the 25th May, 2025 at The Arts Club London
©2025 Arts Club London
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