Research Unit: For the study of the Jewish, refugee and immigrant contribution to British visual culture since 1900

 
  • Visit the Ben Uri Research Unit database

    here
     

    Its aim is to centralise research on, and digitally record the Jewish, Refugee and Immigrant contribution to British visual culture since 1900 through Buru.org.uk, Diaspora-artists.net and further additions to follow of partner academic institutions research sites. 

     

    We are very proud to announce that in 2023 we reached agreement with Professor Eddie Chambers to absorb his comprehensive research on the black and Asian contribution to British art, diaspora-artists.net, into the Ben Uri Research Unit. 
     
    This is Ben Uri’s long term principal function and our strategic objective is to be universally recognised as the pre-eminent academic resource on the Jewish, refugee and immigrant contribution to British visual culture since 1900. We are well on our way as the Ben Uri Research Unit now has an already unparalleled database covering over 3000 profiles on contributors from over 100 countries of birth.
     

    Further outcomes of Ben Uri Research Unit include our programme of exhibitions, related events and publications, audio recordings (including oral histories, curatorial and guest talks), film, and links to external resources.

     

    WHO IS BEN URI RESEARCH UNIT?

    Sarah MacDougall, MA —  Director; Head of Research and Collections

    Rachel Dickson, MA — Senior Consultant Editor

    Irene Iacono, MA — Research Officer

    Dr Anna Milcic  Research Officer

    Dr Clare Matthews — Research and Collections Officer

     
  • Support for the project is underlined by relevant academics and experts in the field including members of the

     

    Academic Steering Committee

     

    Dr Susanna Avery-Quash, The National Gallery, London

    Ariela Braunschweig, MA, Jewish Digital Cultural Recovery Project Foundation 

    Professor Burcu Dogramaci, Munich University 

    Professor Fran Lloyd, Kingston University  

    Professor Elizabeth Otto, Getty Scholar -  Professor of Modern Art and Director of Graduate Studies at the State University of New York, Buffalo, New York

    Professor Dorothy Price, Courtauld Institute of Art

    Dr Tom Stammers, Durham University

  • SEARCH THE DATABASE

    This database is the principal outcome of our ongoing research and is an extension of previous research carried out by our Collections and Curatorial team for our related site exploring the Ben Uri Collection. The information is searchable in a number of ways.

     

    VIEW AND SEARCH THE RESEARCH UNIT ON buru.org.uk

     
  • WHAT IS BURU ONLINE?

    WHAT IS BURU ONLINE?

    BURU online is the first comprehensive online resource recording the lives and careers of major Jewish, refugee and immigrant contributors to British visual culture since 1900. It includes immigrant artists (and those born to immigrant parents within ten years of their arrival) and related professionals (e.g., curators, gallerists, dealers, patrons, publishers, critics, teachers and art suppliers), as well as their professional affiliations and networks.

     

    This database is the principal outcome of our ongoing research and is an extension of previous research carried out by our Collections and Curatorial team for our related site exploring the Ben Uri Collection. The information is searchable in a number of ways, which are all detailed in the Collection menu.

     
  • WHO IS BURU ONLINE FOR?

     BURU online is aimed at researchers, academics, students, provenance researchers, those interested in exile and migration studies, and interested members of the public, including family members and estates, auction houses, art dealers, journalists, politicians and the publishing industry.

     
  • Our database includes the following people

     

    1. ARTISTS

    • Immigrant artists to Britain since 1900

    • Artists born to immigrant parents within 10 years of the former's arrival 

    • Artists adversely affected by the period of National Socialism c.1933-1945

     

    2. OTHER PEOPLE OF SPECIAL INTEREST

    • Immigrant scholars, curators, critics, teachers, art suppliers, gallerists, dealers and patrons