Olga Lehmann – A versatile and Vivacious Artist

The second exhibition of the season in the Gibson Room showcases the work of Olga Lehmann whose diverse artistic talents embraced portraiture, mural design, World War Two artwork, graphic design, and film, television and theatre costume and set design.

Born in 1912, she spent much of her childhood in Chile, before winning a scholarship to study at The Slade School of Art. Here she was taught under the watchful eyes of Henry Tonks and Randolph Schwab, but specialised in Theatrical design under the tutelage of Vladimir Polunin (Sergei Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes set designer) and Portraiture under Allan Gwynn-Jones.

As an artist in World War Two she primarily drew and painted scenes of damage to London in the Blitz as well as the everyday life of Londoners going about their daily business. Olga also painted murals at this time for Public Buildings and Government offices and was commissioned by the Bristol Aircraft Company to paint murals 150 feet underground at their Spring Quarry factory in Wiltshire . Her vibrant murals of sports, circus, fairgrounds , and amusing prehistoric scenes helped to lift workers’ morale in their canteens and corridors.

From the 1940’s to the 1960’s Olga worked in her distinctive creative style in graphic design for The Radio Times and London Calling magazine. The record company Argo Records commissioned her, and her album cover designs were as imaginative and expressive as the music they held. Prestigious British film makers commissioned Olga for their set and costume designs and thereafter she worked alongside and adorned many famous actors in glorious costumes and was nominated for several Emmy awards for her Costume Design.

Olga died in 2001 in Saffron Walden after a fruitful life and illustrious career.