Gluck: Art and Identity

This major new exhibition explores the life and work of the 20th century artist Gluck (1895-1978), who is now also recognised as a trailblazer of gender fluidity. 

Born Hannah Gluckstein into a wealthy Jewish family, Gluck attended art school in London and ran away to Cornwall with fellow students during the First World War.  The artist mixed with the Newlyn School of painters, and adopted the name Gluck, creating a controversial masculine identity incorporating men’s tailoring, barber-cut short hair and a mannish demeanour. 

Gluck, who demanded “no prefix, suffix, or quotes”, became well known as a painter.  Portraits, land and seascapes and floral paintings are all included in this show. 

Taking the experimental approach of a forensic investigation, the exhibition will also present other surviving evidence of Gluck’s life – including clothing, accessories, photographs, press cuttings and personal ephemera. 

This exhibition is part of Wear it Out, a partnership with The Centre for Fashion Curation at London College of Fashion, University of the Arts, London funded by Heritage Lottery Fund.

Image courtesy of Royal Pavilion and Museums Brighton.