Posted Friday 27 November 2015
One of London's hidden cultural gems, Kingston University's Dorich House Museum, has reopened to the public after a major face lift.
The striking 1930s house on the edge of Richmond Park is the former studio home of acclaimed Russian sculptor Dora Gordine, which she designed for herself and her husband, scholar Richard Hare in 1936. Now under the directorship of David Falkner - also director of Kingston University's Stanley Picker Gallery - the museum houses an extensive collection of Gordine's original sculptures, painting and drawings which have been newly displayed throughout the impressive three storey building.
Former director of Tate Britain Penelope Curtis, who included work by Gordine in the ‘Walk through British Art' room when she oversaw the chronological rehang of the gallery's permanent collection, said Dorich House Museum was a rare cultural treasure. "There are very few examples of studio museums in Britain," Dr Curtis said. "Perhaps Dora's ambition to create Dorich House was inspired by the time she spent in France during her early career, where such museums are far more common. The idea that you can secure your artistic legacy, not only in terms of your work but in terms of the environment in which that work is displayed, seems to be one that appealed to Dora."
Dorich House Museum director David Falkner said Gordine's achievement in designing the building in an era in which few female artists had the opportunity to create working environments specifically suited to their individual professional needs should not be underestimated. "We want the newly refurbished museum to be a specialist cultural resource, not only for Kingston University's academics and students, but also for art practitioners and art lovers across London," Mr Falkner said.
Kingston University Vice-Chancellor Professor Julius Weinberg praised Dorich House as an iconic building and noted that it was one of his predecessors, former Kingston University Vice-Chancellor Bob Smith, who had taken the lead in bringing it to the University. "It was Bob who took the phone call about this derelict building on Kingston Hill," Professor Weinberg said. "If he had not agreed that the University would step in to save Dorich house back in 1994, it would not be here today."
As the newly refurbished house opened its doors to the public, Professor Weinberg emphasised that it was, first and foremost, a home for both art and for artists. "Homes are lively places where people come together to chat and to laugh," Professor Weinberg said. "We want to recreate that sense of enjoyment for visitors to Dorich House."
Dorich House Museum is open to the public every Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 11am to 5pm. Entry is free for Kingston University staff and students.
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