Makerere College School of Art

Maurice de Sausmarez and Leeds

An exploration of the artist, writer and art educator Maurice de Sausmarez's time in Leeds, including his tenure as Lecturer and Head of the Department of Fine Art at the University of Leeds.

The Birth of the University's Department of Fine Art

Maurice de Sausmarez's relationship with the city of Leeds.

Gregory Fellowships

The Gregory Fellowships in the Creative Arts were established in 1949 and ran until 1980.

The University Art Collection

Maurice de Sausmarez's support for the Gregory Fellows continued in his involvement with and recommendations to the University's Art Collection.

Alongside his contributions to the development of the University’s Fine Art Department and the work of the Gregory Fellows, Maurice de Sausmarez was also heavily involved in cultural activities on campus.

Makerere College School of Art

In July 1952, while working as Lecturer and Head of Fine Art, de Sausmarez visited the Makerere College School of Art in Uganda. He visited the college, at the request of the Inter-University Council for Higher Education in the Colonies, to advise on the development of the school and a new Diploma course.

Lectures and Extramural Teaching

Alongside of his work at the University, de Sausmarez also lectured and taught extensively throughout the region. He organised and chaired several lecture series both for students and the public, giving many of the lectures himself and helping to broaden interest in the study of art.

Broadcasting

Throughout his career, Maurice de Sausmarez gave talks and lectures on art history and the discussion around art education reform through various radio and TV broadcasts.

Basic Design

'Basic Design', inspired by Bauhaus education principles, played a vital role in revolutionising art school teaching in Britain in the 1950s and 1960s. The two main principles of the movement were a reasoned and objective approach to teaching and the importance of embracing science, technology and the modern world.

Painting

Maurice de Sausmarez completed many paintings and artworks while living and working in Leeds. He was commissioned to paint several portraits including that of Professor of English Literature and co-founder of the University’s Fine Art Department, Bonamy Dobrée, and of Gregory Fellow in Poetry, James Kirkup.

In July 1952, while working as Lecturer and Head of Fine Art, de Sausmarez visited the Makerere College School of Art in Uganda. He visited the college to advise on the development of the school and a new Diploma course, at the request of the Inter-University Council for Higher Education in the Colonies. Makerere College had been granted university status a few years earlier, in 1949.

The Makerere College School of Art had been set up in 1937 by Slade alumna Margaret Trowell and was affiliated with the University of London. It was the first art school in East Africa to be based on the European model of teaching. In a letter from Trowell to de Sausmarez she describes the school’s aims as providing artistic training to its students as well as preparing them for ‘down to earth jobs; in the ‘rapidly developing world of modern Africa’.

In the memorandum that de Sausmarez submitted after his visit he praised the School of Art for the valuable contributions it had made to the wider Makerere College and for the work it had done to support the needs of a ‘rapidly developing community for trained artist-designers and art teachers.’ His recommendations for developing and improving the school included moving to larger premises where up to 40 students could be accommodated and with space for life drawing, painting, sculpture, design and crafts studios as well as a library and lecture room. He also advised that an increase in staff numbers was needed and that the institution of new courses including a Diploma in Fine Art and an Art Teachers Certificate were required.

Although the work of Trowell, de Sausmarez, and the Inter-University Council was well intentioned, their activities were still embedded in colonialism. Trowell was motivated to set up the school by her concern for the decline of indigenous cultures, however she also saw the teaching of art and crafts as integral to Britain’s civilising mission.