History

Originally an art venue for Jewish immigrant artists who were unable to gain access to mainstream art societies at that time, due to the social discrimination and obstacles faced by migrant communities. A registered charity as well as a museum, Ben Uri was the cornerstone of the Jewish community’s cultural activity until the late 1970s. Ben Uri Art Society, as it was then, lost its gallery in 1995 when the synagogue building, in which it was housed, was sold.

Relaunch

The charity/museum was relaunched in 2001 by the new Board, with a new name, Ben Uri Gallery and Museum. It rented its current gallery in St. John’s Wood in June 2002. It was seen as a ‘start up’ museum, piloting its way into the centre of Britain’s mainstream arena.

Since then, we have moved to a full scale virtual museum and research centre, while maintaining a small physical presence in the gallery for our own exhibitions as well as contributing loans from our collection to many other museums and exhibitions in the UK and elsewhere.

In September we are presenting an exhibition of "Heads" by the outstanding Indian émigré artist Lancelot Ribeiro.

Philosophy

Ben Uri surpasses ethnic, cultural and religious obstacles to engagement within the arts sector, addresses contemporary and historical issues of identity and migration, and celebrates, researches and records the richly diverse Jewish, refugee and immigrant contribution to British culture in the visual arts since 1900.

Presenting and sharing art differently, we have encouraged people to explore their own and their community's identity and creativity. We engage and deliver this outcome through our research unit, collection and exhibitions.