Finding Joy | Art UK

Joy is the fullest expression of happiness, experienced in connection with a force beyond oneself. Feeling this level of positivity and connection in 2020 feels, to many, like a distant dream, which is precisely why this exhibition is needed. Finding Joy was curated by students from one of City Lit's Introduction to Art History courses. Each work chosen reflects an individual's conception of joy. We interpreted thematically, grouping diverse works to find their commonality. The exhibition moves through togetherness, carefree physicality, the subtly of movement and ends with celebration of human life. Our hope was to create a communal space of joy that allows for both the broad and the specific. May you find joy in our selection.

Artists featured in this Curation: William Patrick Roberts (1895–1980), Emily Learmont (b.1969), Charles March Gere (1869–1957), Peter Burgess (b.1952), Mel Charles, David Storrie, John Luke (1906–1975), Peter Blake (b.1932), John Daniel Revel (1884–1967), Natasha Light (b.1976), and 8 more See all

20 artworks

Storyline Album Showcase

The Seaside

© estate of John David Roberts. By courtesy of The William Roberts Society. Image credit: Arts Council Collection, Southbank Centre, London

The Seaside c.1966

William Patrick Roberts (1895–1980)

Oil on canvas

H 61 x W 76.2 cm

Arts Council Collection, Southbank Centre

Drumsheugh Swimming Pool

© the artist. Image credit: Art in Healthcare

Drumsheugh Swimming Pool 1992

Emily Learmont (b.1969)

Oil on canvas

H 184 x W 152.5 cm

Art in Healthcare

Cheese Rolling on Cooper's Hill, Gloucestershire

© the artist's estate. Image credit: Gloucester Museums Service Art Collection

Cheese Rolling on Cooper's Hill, Gloucestershire 1948

Charles March Gere (1869–1957)

Oil on canvas

H 62.5 x W 75.3 cm

Gloucester Museums Service Art Collection

The Christening Party

© the artist. Image credit: Art in Healthcare

The Christening Party 1996

Emily Learmont (b.1969)

Oil on canvas

H 182.6 x W 121 cm

Art in Healthcare

Primrose Hill

© the artist. Image credit: Imperial Health Charity Art Collection

Primrose Hill 1991/1992

Peter Burgess (b.1952)

Oil on canvas

H 119 x W 140 cm

Imperial Health Charity Art Collection

Hanging Figure

© the copyright holder. Image credit: University of Southampton

Hanging Figure 1977

Mel Charles

Acrylic on canvas

H 216 x W 143 cm

University of Southampton

Hanging Figure

© the copyright holder. Image credit: University of Southampton

Hanging Figure 1977

Mel Charles

Acrylic on canvas

H 216 x W 143 cm

University of Southampton

Untitled

© the copyright holder. Image credit: Art & Heritage Collections, Robert Gordon University

David Storrie

Oil on canvas

H 183 x W 212.5 cm

Art & Heritage Collections, Robert Gordon University

The Three Dancers

© National Museums Northern Ireland. Image credit: National Museums NI

The Three Dancers 1945

John Luke (1906–1975)

Oil & tempera on canvas on board

H 30.7 x W 43 cm

National Museums NI

Boy Eating a Hot Dog

© Peter Blake. All rights reserved, DACS 2024. Image credit: Arts Council Collection, Southbank Centre, London

Boy Eating a Hot Dog 1960–1965

Peter Blake (b.1932)

Acrylic on board

H 36.5 x W 40.7 cm

Arts Council Collection, Southbank Centre

Happy Days

© the copyright holder. Image credit: Glasgow Life Museums

Happy Days 1924

John Daniel Revel (1884–1967)

Oil on canvas

H 101.6 x W 76.2 cm

Glasgow Life Museums

Bird

© the artist. Image credit: Peace Museum

Bird 2008

Natasha Light (b.1976)

Ceramic & fishing line

H 46 x W 20.5 x D 6 cm

Peace Museum

Magdalen Green, Dundee

© the artist's estate / Bridgeman Images. Image credit: The Fleming Collection

Magdalen Green, Dundee

James McIntosh Patrick (1907–1998)

Oil on canvas

H 62.8 x W 78 cm

The Fleming Collection

Gymnast

© the artist. Image credit: Hinckley Academy and John Cleveland Sixth Form Centre

Bill Bate (b.1962)

Oil on canvas

H 122 x W 91 cm

Hinckley Academy and John Cleveland Sixth Form Centre

Sir John Barbirolli (1899–1970)

© the copyright holder. Image credit: Royal Academy of Music

Sir John Barbirolli (1899–1970) 1975

Byron Howard (1935–2019)

Fibreglass & steel

H 61 x W 60.9 x D 45.7 cm

Royal Academy of Music

Mary Jane Seacole, née Grant

Image credit: National Portrait Gallery, London

Mary Jane Seacole, née Grant 1869

Albert Charles Challen (1847–1881)

Oil on panel

H 24 x W 18 cm

National Portrait Gallery, London

1869, oil on panel by Albert Charles Challen (1847–1881)

There's Joy in Remembrance (Portrait of a Lady at Her Desk)

Image credit: Burton Art Gallery and Museum

There's Joy in Remembrance (Portrait of a Lady at Her Desk)

Walter Dendy Sadler (1854–1923)

Oil on canvas

H 56.5 x W 41 cm

Burton Art Gallery and Museum

African Dancer

© the artist. Image credit: Cardiff Council

Elga Rabe (b.1949)

Acrylic on canvas

H 88.5 x W 118 cm

Cardiff Council

Joie de vivre

© the copyright holder. Image credit: East Dunbartonshire Council

Arthur R. Griffith (1904–1992)

Oil on canvas

H 75.5 x W 101.5 cm

East Dunbartonshire Council

A Birthday Bouquet

© the artist's estate. Image credit: Royal Birmingham Society of Artists

A Birthday Bouquet c.1995

Joy Honigsberger (b.1928)

Acrylic on paper

H 55 x W 42 cm

Royal Birmingham Society of Artists

View all 18

Peter Burgess (b.1952)
Mel Charles
Walter Dendy Sadler (1854–1923)
Albert Charles Challen (1847–1881)
David Storrie
John Daniel Revel (1884–1967)
Elga Rabe (b.1949)
Charles March Gere (1869–1957)
Peter Blake (b.1932)
William Patrick Roberts (1895–1980)
View all 18

View all