The Art School Dance Goes on Forever

Leicester’s creative history took centre stage in a new exhibition at Leicester Adult Education Centre. The Art School Dance Goes on Forever celebrates the achievements of 1960s creatives who studied at Leicester College of Art (Leicester Polytechnic, 1969, De Montfort University, 1992), shining a spotlight on a ‘golden generation’ of talent that left an indelible mark on global arts and culture. The exhibition formed a companion piece to Joe Nixon’s film documentary on Leicester’s 1960’s creatives, Moving in the Shadows, (2023). Visitors had the chance to view an exclusive 10-minute excerpt from the documentary which features an interview with The Farinas and Family frontman, Roger Chapman.

In the early 1960s, Leicester College of Art, which had been founded nearly a century earlier, finally established itself as one of Britain’s leading art schools. Its place in the top five of more than 170 similar institutions was indicated by its ability to offer post-diploma courses, as well as its reputation as a hot-house of innovation in teaching practice. When the new-born Sunday Times colour supplement surveyed the art school scene in 1962, it visited and featured just two colleges: the Royal College of Art and Leicester College of Art. The college became a hotbed of creativity, producing visionaries who would build global reputations and gain worldwide recognition in fashion design, illustration, filmmaking, photography and music.

These include:

The Farinas – formed by Art College students Jim King, Harry Ovenall, Tim Kirchin and Charlie Whitney. One of Leicester’s most popular bands, they would become progressive rock band Family, one of the most influential underground bands of the 1960s
Kasia Charko – former leading illustrator for Biba.
Charles Dance OBE – award-winning actor who has played roles in Game of Thrones,
The Crown and The Day of the Jackal
Hilary Radley – international fashion designer
Kevin Woodcock – cartoonist for Private Eye
Patricia Roberts – award-winning knitwear designer
Tony Kaye – founding member and keyboard player of Yes
Graham Baker – Hollywood film director
Roger Bamber – three times press photographer of the year
Peter Robinson – leading photographer of football culture, famous for covering every world cup since Mexico 1970

‘Leicester has never fully acknowledged the lasting contribution to world-wide arts and culture made by those educated in the city. It was a generation dedicated to change which saw art school as a springboard to transformation. The exhibition acts as a fascinating introduction to their work.’

Professor Steve Chibnall Professor at De Montfort University and Exhibition Curator

‘The 1960s were a time of seismic cultural shifts, as demonstrated in our previous Mods : Shaping a Generation exhibition, and my documentary, Moving in the Shadows. The film touched on Leicester College of Art’s students, who were at the forefront of that movement and were redefining creative boundaries. I’m pleased that it has developed into this fascinating new exhibition, offering a chance to reflect on their national and global impact and reintroduce their work to a new generation.’

Joe Nixon Co-curator of the exhibition and director of Social Gallery CIC

‘Family were an extremely popular Leicester band from the 1960s who were active between 1966 – 1973. They released seven albums and had a huge fanbase, including John Lennon, Freddie Mercury and Elton John. The roots of the band however, The Farinas, were firmly embedded within Leicester Art College and were a favourite with the city’s Mod generation.’

Shaun Knapp Director of Social Gallery CIC and co-curator for the Family and Farinas section of the exhibition

The Art School Dance Goes on Forever was live at Leicester Adult Education Centre, Belvoir Street, Leicester between February 7th – March 14th 2025.

Partners: Social Gallery, The Institute of Art, Design and Performance at De Montfort University and the De Montfort University Alumni Association.