Edna Mann

Early life and education Edna Mann was born in London in 1926. She was educated at Romford County High School for Girls and then studied art at the South-East Essex Technical College and School of Art. In 1942, she met the artists David Bomberg (1890–1957), who was teaching there, and Dorothy Mead. Mead and Mann were initially sceptical of Bomberg's teaching style but were won over by his unconventional approach. a group of artists influenced by Bomberg at Borough Polytechnic, together with Cliff Holden (the first president), Dorothy Mead and Peter Richmond. The Borough Group's first exhibition was held in June 1947 at the Archer Gallery. Edna Mann and the Borough Group had a group show at the Everyman Cinema, in Hampstead in December 1947. The exhibition included works by Cliff Holden, Dorothy Mead, Miles Richmond, Dinora and Leslie Marr and Lilian Holt. She exhibited with the group until she became pregnant, when Bomberg asked her to resign. He believed that it was impossible to be a serious artist while raising young children.

Mann was part of the Harlow Arts Festival

Works

Bent Figure, Charcoal on paper (c 1949) in the collection of Borough Road Gallery Cityscape Charcoal and chalk on paper (c 1949) in the collection of Borough Road Gallery Exterior of Westminster Abbey Charcoal on paper (1946) in the collection of Borough Road Gallery Interior, St Paul’s Cathedral Charcoal on paper (1946) in the collection of Borough Road Gallery Interior St Paul’s Cathedral Charcoal and blue wash (1946) in the collection of Borough Road Gallery Interior St Paul’s Cathedral Charcoal and yellow wash (c 1949) in the collection of Borough Road Gallery