West End at War

About

70 years ago the normal pulse of life across the West End was shaken by the wail of sirens, searchlights and the nightly visits of hundreds of German bombers raining death upon London's inhabitants. The West End at War exhibition brings together the work of leading British war artists commissioned to paint bomb damage during the Second World War, and includes work never previously put on public display. Drawn from the City of Westminster Archives collection, the paintings capture well known West End streets and landmarks affected by aerial bombing. Exhibition highlights include works from R.G Mathews and John Edgar Platt as well as recently discovered rare colour film footage from the Blitz in Marylebone. West End at War is organised by City of Westminster Archives with curator Jennifer Donaghy to mark the 70th anniversary of the Blitz. To accompany the exhibition, new artworks, sculptures and an animation have been developed in conjunction with Westminster schools, young people and elderly residents.