Expressionists: Kandinsky, Munter and The Blue Rider

A key element in the birth of European Expressionism is the story of an eclectic circle of friends and artistic colleagues known as the Blue Rider. In the early 20th century they rallied around artists Wassily Kandinsky and Gabriele Munter to form what they called ‘a union of various countries to serve one purpose-to transform modern art.’ They created bold, bright experiments in the emotional power of colour at a time of political and social upheaval. Cindy Polemis looks at these friendships that made modern art.

THE ARTS SOCIETY ACCREDITED LECTURER

Mrs Cindy Polemis

Cindy Polemis is an art historian, independent lecturer and art guide. She has a BA in Modern History from Oxford University and as a mature student she went back to university to study first for a BA and then for a Masters in History of Art at Birkbeck College, London University. Before that she spent many years as a radio producer and presenter for the BBC World Service working in news and current affairs. Since 2016 Cindy has worked as an official art guide at Tate Britain and Tate Modern. She has also been a trustee at the Museum of the Home, formerly the Geffrye Museum. Cindy has accumulated a wide range of art historical knowledge ranging from 18th European and British art to the contemporary international art scene. She has been an official guide for both Frieze Masters and Frieze Art Fairs in London. She is particularly keen to draw parallels with art and social history and her lectures are accessible and engaging, drawing out the stories of art and artists which are steeped in human emotions and experiences which we all share.

GALLERY