The gallery remained opened until 1977 during which Ohly’s personal interests and relationships with fellow artists, such as potter Bernard Leach, moulded his exhibitions. For example, the Christmas Exhibition of 1954 featured a selection of pictures by Henry Moore and Ceri Richards alongside sculpture by Peter King and objects from India and the Far East.

The Abbey Art Centre

The Abbey Art Centre, located at 89 Park Road in New Barnet, Hertfordshire, was established in 1946 by Ohly who sought to create a sanctuary for artists from around the world. He transformed a three-acre property, originally acquired from the religious community led by J.S.M. Ward, into a vibrant art commune. The centre featured residential studios, a pottery, and a museum housed in a 14th-century tithe barn, showcasing a diverse collection of ethnographic art from Africa, Oceania, and the Americas.

A Home for Artists

The Centre quickly became home to a dynamic and diverse community of artists, including many expatriates, especially Australians, seeking creative freedom in post-war Britain. Among the influential artists associated with the Abbey Art Centre were Frank Dobson, Reg Butler and Keith Grant. These figures, along with regular visitors like Lucian Freud, Henry Moore, and Francis Bacon, contributed to the Abbey’s reputation as a vital space for artistic exchange and experimentation.

The Legacy Continues

After Ohly’s death in 1955, his wife Kate and later their daughter Bienchen continued to uphold the Centre’s legacy. Today, the Abbey Art Centre remains a family-run institution, supporting contemporary artists and preserving its unique history as a creative refuge and cultural landmark.

Ceri Richards

Ceri Richards, was a renowned Welsh painter and printmaker, celebrated for his evocative, lyrical style and deep engagement with poetry and music. Born into a working-class family near Swansea, Richards' early talent earned him a scholarship to the Royal College of Art in 1924. Richards is perhaps best known for his interpretations of literary works, particularly those of fellow Welshman Dylan Thomas. In particular, his painting Do not go gentle into that good night (1956) and the print series Twelve Lithographs for Six Poems by Dylan Thomas (1965) reflect his ability to translate poetic emotion into powerful visual form. Drawing from themes of nature, spirituality, and human experience, Richards infused his work with rhythm and movement, often influenced by music and his deep love of culture. 
His achievements brought him international recognition, including being awarded a CBE in 1960 and a prize at the Venice Biennale in 1962.

Keith Grant

Keith Grant (b. 1930) is a British landscape painter hailing from Liverpool. His work is inspired by his love of nature, and is characterised by elemental forces, intimate moods and remote terrains. He trained at Willesden School of Art and the Royal College of Art, receiving a silver medal in mural painting at the latter. His artistic journey has taken him from the icy landscapes of Greenland and Iceland to the tropical rainforests of French Guiana and Cameroon, with each locale inspiring a distinctive body of work. Since 1996, he has lived and worked in Gvary, Norway.

Frank Dobson

Frank Dobson (1886-1963) was a British sculptor celebrated for his adventurous and elegant interpretations of the human form. After initially receiving training as a painter, he turned to sculpture at the outbreak of the Second World War. As a central figure in the development of modern British sculpture alongside Jacob Epstein and Henry Moore, Dobson served as Professor of Sculpture at the Royal College of Art (1946-1953). Among his most significant works are Cornucopia (1925-27) and London Pride (1951).

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Auction details

Thursday 10 July, 10,30am BST
Donnington Priory, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 2JE

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VIEWING IN LONDON (HIGHLIGHTS)
Friday 27 June: 10am-4pm
Monday 30 June: 10am-4pm
Tuesday 1 July: 10am-4pm

VIEWING IN NEWBURY (FULL SALE)
Sunday 6 July: 10am-3pm
Monday 7 July: 10am-4pm
Tuesday 8 July: 10am-4pm
Wednesday 9 July: 10am-4pm

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